EDMONTON – Many children going through therapy at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital aren’t going to want to leave, thanks to a new high-tech bike.
The ‘Virtual Bike’ combines an exercise bike with a Wii U console, steering-wheel and big-screen TV. It helps pediatric patients who require lower-limb therapy regain strength, co-ordination and reactive skills.
“As the little one is pedalling, her Mario Kart is proceeding through a game. So her movement of pedalling is connected to the game,” said Vickie Buttar, Rehabilitation Technology Leader at the Glenrose.
Twelve-year-old Eva Elder is a patient at the Glenrose. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and had leg surgery in early November.
“When you’re pedalling it acts as the button, so whenever I pedal, it presses ‘A’ and then it’ll trigger the car to go faster,” Elder said.
She says playing the game makes her therapy sessions go by much quicker than before.
“You get to play a game and you’re not just sitting there pedalling, staring at a wall.”
“It is helping her and it is a good motivator,” added Elder’s mother, Charlene.
Buttar says therapy can be somewhat tedious for children at times, and hopes the virtual bike will help get them engaged in their therapy.
“You know yourself, trying to get a kid away from any game is difficult. And that’s the thing that we want to tap into. Especially for children, we know that if they are able to do more repetitions, we’re able to work closer to their rehabilitation goals,” she added.
The Virtual Bike was designed with the help of NAIT Technology Management students. They modified a recumbent bike so riders could control the console with their pedalling motions.
The bike is currently hooked up for patients to play Mario Kart. But next year, NAIT students will be designing custom games for the Virtual Bike.
“This project is helping to improve the lives of patients and demonstrates the essential role NAIT has in Alberta,” said Dr. David Carpenter, Dean of NAIT’s School of Information Communication and Engineering Technologies.
The bike is currently being used by children or teens with cerebral palsy, orthopedic disorders or brain injuries. Adults and seniors will soon begin using the bike, as well.
Comments