sEMG-Based Assessment of Engagement in VR-Integrated BALANSens Ankle Rehabilitation

This study investigates participant engagement with various types of virtual reality (VR)-integrated passive ankle robotic rehabilitation offered by the BALANSens platform, using surface electromyography (sEMG) signals to quantitatively assess involvement. The low adherence rates in robotic rehabilitation, often due to the monotonous nature of exercises, highlight the importance of enhancing patient motivation. VR is shown to improve patient engagement by providing immersive and interactive therapy environments, ultimately increasing training time, reducing dropout rates, and enhancing motivation. The role of VR in robotic rehabilitation is further explored through a comparison of motivation-related outcomes across different rehabilitation modalities, such as robot-assisted gait training and upper limb rehabilitation, where VR demonstrates increased patient engagement. Additionally, the study evaluates the cognitive demands of VR during active ankle therapy. By combining subjective self-reports with psychophysiological measurements, including sEMG, the study seeks to offer a comprehensive analysis of how VR-integrated rehabilitation influences patient motivation and adherence. The results are expected to contribute valuable insights into the design of more engaging and effective robotic rehabilitation systems, highlighting the need for dynamic and stimulating therapy environments to sustain long-term patient commitment.