Developed in practice

We have developed the SilverFit system in close collaboration with a team of geriatric physiotherapists at Stichting Groenhuysen in Roosendaal, the Netherlands. During test sessions, we paid particular attention to determining the correct movements and exercises that need to be trained and incorporating them into simple games. Based on these ideas, our programmers, graphic artists and game designers have created professional games. During the development process the games were continually tested and improved by physiotherapists and patients from over 15 care centres, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands. In total, over 100 patients and volunteers have played and perfected the games. Prototypes of the games have been used daily by physiotherapists since August 2008 and their feedback has been incorporated in the games. In addition, we are working together with research institutions to perfect and validate the SilverFit system's effectiveness.

The SilverFit system is very easy for the player to use. All of the player's movements are registered using a 3D camera; the player does not need to hold anything, press anything or use any menus. The camera registers the player's movements and the game responds to them. A (mentally healthy) patient can operate the system independently after receiving a short set of instructions. The SilverFit system is delivered with seven games. The system is turned on at the press of a button, then the therapist can immediately choose one of the games and easily set the difficulty level of the game. There are no complex menus nor is any technical skill required to operate the system. The games can be played in individual therapy, group therapy or group activity. Group sessions are often particularly fun and effective. They are fun because the audience supports and motivates the player, as the games are fun to watch. They are effective because the therapist can set up one patient to play on one system while he supervises a second patient. If so desired, the system can also be used to measure the progress of patients.

The games have been designed to be played at a wide range of player abilities. Many games can be played sitting down to exercise the legs, train balance, stretch the arms or practise standing up. At a higher level, the games can be played while standing with support from a walking stick, walker or (?loopbrug) or supported by the physiotherapist. At the highest difficulty level, the games can be used for physical fitness exercises. Because of these levels, the games can be used for the entire course of a rehabilitation plan, and beyond. The difficulty level can be set by the therapist at the start of the game. During the game, the computer makes fine adjustments to the difficulty level to match the skill level of the player: if the player does well, the difficulty increases slightly, and if the player is struggling the difficulty decreases. Some of the games train cognitive skills in addition to physical skills. The difficulty level for the cognitive skills is set independently of the physical difficulty level.

SilverFit organises training days for therapists who want to learn how to use virtual reality physiotherapy systems in practice. It is also possible to visit one of our test locations. Please contact us for more information.

Read more...