V-FES-Cycling: Development of a communication interface between a FES-Cycling system and a virtual reality environment for rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients

Authors

Breno Linhares de Sousa Faculty of Science and Technology in Engineering (FCTE), University of Brasilia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2711-7903
Viviane Silva Levy Department of Design, University of Brasilia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4680-4251
Guillermo Alvarez Bestard Faculty of Science and Technology in Engineering (FCTE), University of Brasilia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6659-441X
Jorge Cormane Faculty of Science and Technology in Engineering (FCTE), University of Brasilia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5263-0985
Claudia Ochoa-Diaz Faculty of Science and Technology in Engineering (FCTE), University of Brasilia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4071-6244

Keywords:

Rehabilitation; FES-Cycling; Virtual Reality; Spinal Cord Injury; Integration.

Abstract

The rehabilitation of individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) faces challenges related to patient compliance due to the repetitive nature of rehabilitation exercises. Virtual Reality (VR) and serious games have been applied to increase motivation, allowing for an interactive and immersive environment. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an effective approach to activate muscle groups and promote assisted cycling, facilitating rehabilitation. This study presents the V-FES-Cycling platform, which integrates an FES-driven tricycle with a virtual environment for rehabilitation. The platform includes an instrumented tricycle with an encoder sensor to monitor pedaling, transmitting the data via Bluetooth to software developed in Unreal Engine (UE). The system allows synchronization of the real movement with a 3D model in VR and real-time adjustments of the electrical stimulation parameters. The results showed that the interface enables precise data synchronization, with a latency of 0.97ms, guaranteeing a quick response and user immersion. Future improvements include improving the communication protocol, implementing an electromagnetic brake and developing an exergame to increase patient compliance. Future clinical trials will be conducted to validate the platform's effectiveness in motor rehabilitation.

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Published

2025-06-10

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2024): Revista Interdisciplinar de Pesquisa em Engenharia

Section

Artigos

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