Application of multimedia techniques in the physical rehabilitation of Parkinson's patients

This paper presents and discusses some experiments having the purpose of planning, developing and validating aesthetically resonant environments for different types of sensorimotor impairments which affect Parkinson's patients. From a technical point of view the aim is to develop a computational open architecture in which it is possible to integrate modules for gesture analysis and recognition and for interactive construction of therapeutic exercises based on multimedia stimulation in real time. The clinical objective is to experiment with a device of sensorimotor stimulation that supports akinesia compensation by controlling movement rhythmic structures in subjects with Parkinson's disease. The EyesWeb open architecture has been used to analyse patients' motion and to produce visual feedback during therapy sessions in real time. A pilot study has been conducted on two Parkinson's disease patients in the framework of the EU IST project CARE-HERE.