User-Centered Design of a Controller-Free Game for Hand Rehabilitation

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a hand therapy game using the Microsoft (Redmond, WA) Kinect^® sensor with a customized videogame. Materials and Methods: Using the Microsoft Kinect sensor as an input device, a customized game for hand rehabilitation was developed that required players to perform various gestures to accomplish a virtual cooking task. Over the course of two iterative sessions, 11 participants with different levels of wrist, hand, and finger injuries interacted with the game in a single session, and user perspectives and feedback were obtained via a questionnaire and semistructured interviews. Results: Participants reported high levels of enjoyment, specifically related to the challenging nature of the game and the visuals. Participant feedback from the first iterative round of testing was incorporated to produce a second prototype for the second round of testing. Additionally, participants expressed the desire to have the game adapt and be customized to their unique hand therapy needs. Conclusions: The game tested in this study has the potential to be a unique and cutting edge method for the delivery of hand rehabilitation for a diverse population.