Neurocognition and ­Action - Biomechanics

Adaptiv virtuelle Rehabilitation bei Verletzungen der oberen Extremität - Eine Machbarkeitsstudie

Project duration: 012/2020 - 11/2022
Project funding: 120.786 Euro

Virtual-reality applications in digital medicine are a rapidly growing market. In combination with 3D motion analysis, these innovative systems are the new frontier of musculoskeletal rehabilitation. This project examines the experiences of both patients and therapists during the introduction of an individualized and adaptive virtual-reality rehabilitation protocol for the upper extremities.

The project "Adaptiv virtuelle Rehabilitation bei Verletzungen der oberen Extremität - Eine Machbarkeitsstudie" has been sponsored for a total of € 120,786 by the new Faculty of Medicine at Bielefeld University through the funding line "Anschubsfond Medizinische Förschung" aimed at promoting research collaborations in the most innovative topics within the field of medicine. This multi-disciplinary project will run for 24 months starting December 2020 and will involve several cooperation partners from the University of Bielefeld and Bielefeld area including the EvKB Clinic for Traumatology and Orthopedics (Prof. Dr. med. Vordemvenne), the Faculty of Sports Science and Psychology (Prof. Dr. Schack) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (Prof. Dr. Dockweiler), the center for outpatient rehabilitation (ZAR; Dr. med. Conrad), and the orthopedic practice in Bültmannshof (Dr. med. Elsner).

As a part of this project, 40 patients with injuries of the upper extremities will undergo a 4-week conventional rehabilitation or virtual-reality therapy. At the end of the 2nd and 4th week, the overall functionality of the upper extremity as well as acceptance of the virtual-reality system by both patients and therapists will be evaluated.