SBIR/STTR Award attributes
PROJECT SUMMARY ABSTRACT SignificanceThe Knee Biofeedback Rehabilitation Interface for Game based Home TherapyKneeBRIGHTsystem combines electromyographyEMGbiofeedback with video game therapyVGTto provide knee osteoarthritisOApatients with an engagingeffective tool for conducting rehabilitation exercises at homeKneeBRIGHT aims to motivate patients with knee OA to conduct regular muscle strengthening exercise through an engagingEMG driven video game therapyThe system combines wireless EMG electrodes that are convenient for patients to use in a home setting with software that provides automated guidance through evidence basedprogressive exercise routinesImportantlythese exercises are presented to the patient in the form of fun and engaging games to promote a positive experience and encourage continued adherenceProblem to be AddressedOA is the leading cause of disability in the United StatesRehabilitation through quadriceps strengthening is a well established treatment for patients with OA of the kneebut patient adherence to exercise routines is low due to lack of guidance regarding optimal protocols and lack of engagement during the repetitive routines that patients find tedious and boringLong Term GoalImprove knee OA outcomes through effective and motivating rehabilitation exercisesPhase I ResultsDuring the Phase I efforta prototype KneeBRIGHT system was developed and verified in a laboratory settingThe feasibility testing withknee OA patients demonstrated statistically significant increases in muscle activationengagement levelsand duration of voluntary exercise during the KneeBRIGHT exercises when compared with exercises conducted with a conventional EMG biofeedback systemPhase II HypothesesThe Phase II program will test the hypotheses that patients performing exercise routines using KneeBRIGHT willachieve superior muscle strength gain compared to a conventional EMG biofeedback protocolandexhibit increased adherence compared to the conventional systemPhase II SummaryBarron Associatesaward winning innovators in video game therapyhas partnered with the University of Virginia for this SBIR Phase II program to demonstrate efficacy and user acceptance of the KneeBRIGHT systemThe specific objectives of the Phase II program are todevelop the Phase II commercial KneeBRIGHT EMG modulesdevelop the Phase II commercial KneeBRIGHT game software with adaptive exercise protocols and expanded game activitiesdevelop a provider dashboard to enable clinicians to monitor patient performance remotelyandperform efficacy testing of muscle strengthfunctional improvementvia Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Scoreand adherencewhen compared to a conventional systemwith knee OA patients in aweek clinical trialImpactThe system will have a significant overall impact on public health by increasing patient adherence to home exercise and thereby reducing pain symptoms and restoring physical function to knee OA patients PROJECT NARRATIVE The proposed Knee Biofeedback Rehabilitation Interface for Game based Home TherapyKneeBRIGHTsystem aims to motivate patients with knee osteoarthritis to engage in regular muscle strengthening exercise through an engagingEMG driven video game therapyKneeBRIGHT promises to enhance rehabilitation byincreasing functional recovery through physical practice of evidence based exercise routinespromoting adherence through fun games and real time performance feedbackproviding a low cost option for athome therapycreating reliable tracking mechanisms for patient adherence and functional statusandincreasing access to care in remoteunderserved areas
