Does Rehab Kinect?

Since the release of Microsofts Xbox Kinect in November 2010 a burning question of therapists, interested in using technology, has been - can it be used within rehab?

With the success of the Nintendo Wii obvious within therapy, there are high hopes for the Xbox Kinect, especially as it is considered the more advanced technology. But does a more complex technology bring with it more constrained usage!? Unfortunately early investigation with its use would suggest so.

It would seem that its strengths might end up being its rehab potentials weakness.

The Kinect seems to have two inconvenient aspects. The first is that it is so very sensitive and knows exactly what body landmarks it is looking for. If the camera cannot see all body points, then it detects nothing. This means for wheelchair users they cannot get passed the calibration stage, least of all play a game. Even using a standing frame will not trick the controller as body parts are blocked and in incomplete picture being received is discarded by the console.

The second inconvenience is that as a therapist you cannot closely support your patient to perform the movements required because, as a second body in the field of view, you are detected and included within the game. This causes confusion and, without meaning to, the second body can influence the playing of the game and render the experience frustrating. The alternative is the let your patient work out the controls and respond to your instructions as you hide out of the cameras view - a long way from the hands on therapy that many patients initially need and benefit from.

Whilst considering the negative aspects of the Kinect there are ways around the issues so that it can be used successfully and to the benefit of rehabilitating patients. Careful selection of patient is the first important decision. Able bodied patients working on refining control of movement or on dynamic balance, fitness or intending to increase basic global activity levels will find benefits from the Kinect.

It's graphics and response to movement are far beyond the feedback from the Nintendo Wii making it difficult to cheat or adapt movements, offering, where accessible, a more rewarding visual feedback experience.