Cognitive/Motor Therapy Application Using Console-Based Videogame Platform

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most pervasive problems among servicemembers returning from current conflicts. Although a continuum of care is in place, many veterans do not get the rehabilitative services they require, often because local communities may lack the necessary resources/expertise. The proposed TBI rehabilitation game is based on the success of telerehabilitation in remote treatment, the applicability of video games for rehabilitation, and the applicability/recent affordability of haptics technology. TBI severity level (mild, moderate, or severe), area of function (cognitive, motor, sensory, behavioral), and segment of the continuum of care of most pressing need will be determined, and then a prototype game will be planned that addresses this need using a sophisticated haptics device connectable to a videogame console or PC. The goal of the game will be to accomplish TBI rehabilitation goals in an intuitive, entertaining fashion and extend the reach of rehabilitation services to underserved servicemembers. It will differ from other efforts in that it will use haptics technology, include performance metrics, and be usable on videogame console and PC. This project could be expanded for use with civilian TBI patients, who number in the millions in the United States alone.