Clinical Feasibility & Validation of the Augmented Reality GlenxRose Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programs

Clinical Feasibility & Validation of the Augmented Reality-Delivered GlenxRose Programs for Acquired Brain Injury

Factors related to successful rehabilitation in acquired brain injury (ABI) are often directly related to adherence; for instance, dosage, frequency, and intensity can burden the patient regarding time and motivational factors. Regarding salience, patients may lose interest or find a traditional intervention boring after a few sessions. It is well documented that nonadherence not only impacts rehabilitation for patients but can also further prolong treatment, and increase hospital and clinician costs, in addition to a higher prevalence of future comorbidities. Additionally, the same factors that are related to can impact adherence are also related to neuroplasticity. Therefore, strategies that improve patient adherence can significantly help optimize patient care and treatment outcomes for those with ABI.

The gamification of rehabilitation therapies using augmented reality (AR) may help promote adherence. Gamification of rehabilitation therapy can make mass practice required in rehabilitation therapies seemingly fun and more personally engaging for the patient. Additionally, the experience achieved through AR can further promote salience and be customizable to individual patient requirements. As AR systems are now highly portable, cost-effective, and relatively simple to utilize, they can provide an excellent opportunity to provide more engaging rehabilitation approaches compared to standard care alone. AR gamification of rehabilitation may increase adherence by shifting patients' perspectives of therapy as tedious, boring, or a hassle, to a fun and engaging game that ultimately helps their recovery processes.

The GlenXRose AR-delivered ABI program (developed by the Cognitive Projections Lab, University of Alberta) has been created in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital with the overall goal of increasing patient adherence, treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with ABI rehabilitation therapy. The proposed studies are to investigate the feasibility of implementing this technology alongside routine clinical care, obtaining clinician feedback, examining associated financial costs, and continuing to examine the effect of the GlenXRose AR ABI-therapies on patient adherence and clinical outcomes, compared to traditional clinical care alone.

Nonadherence to Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation can result in suboptimal recovery or compensation methods while impacting the quality of life and further burdening the healthcare system. In addition to traditional ABI rehabilitation therapy, many patients are given daily exercises to practice and perform. However, it is estimated that up to 50% of patients are non-adherent to rehabilitation (Argent et al., 2018); with such a large prevalence, opportunities to prevent and mitigate nonadherence to ABI therapy can significantly promote clinical/functional outcomes.

Purpose & Objective: The GlenXRose Augmented Reality (AR) - ABI program, developed by the Cognitive Projections lab at the University of Alberta in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, provides patients with gamified ABI therapies delivered through immersive AR.

The objective of these studies is to examine the feasibility of implementing the previously developed GlenXRose AR-ABI therapies to routine clinical care delivered by Occupational Therapists to patients with an ABI etiology (such as stroke and traumatic brain injury). Variables of patient adherence to treatment as well as preliminary effects on cognition, motor coordination, engagement, and system usability will be explored.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults receiving care at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Edmonton, Canada) for mild to moderate Acquired Brain Injury
• Proficiency in English
• Adequate upper-limb strength and coordination to utilize AR headset (determined by clinicians)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pediatric populations
• Severe acquired brain injury
• severe cognitive and behavioural disorders (e.g. agitation, confusion, aggressive behaviour), which is Level V or higher on the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale
• Severe aphasia, impacting language comprehension
• Communication disorders that impact comprehension of verbal commands and understanding of scale used in the study
• Previous neurological and/or psychiatric disorders
• Substance misuse disorders
• Previously acquired brain injury
• Impairments that limit the interaction with the AR device