Uma arquitetura baseada em técnicas de Realidade Mista para favorecer a sensação de incorporação de próteses mioelétricas por indivíduos com amputação de membros superiores

Abstract

Traditional rehabilitation training for individuals with upper-limb amputation who use prostheses usually begins about 12 months after the amputation, which contributes to high dropout rates and highlights the need for more effective approaches. Mixed reality systems have shown promise in this context, provided they are capable of promoting the sense of prosthesis embodiment. This thesis investigated the sense of embodiment in training environments for upper-limb amputees, based on the development of a mixed reality architecture composed of five integrated features: markerless fiducial tracking, integration of virtual objects with the amputated limb, real-time motion, structured training activities, and serious games. The resulting system was named MRProsthesis, through which the Box and Blocks test was adapted into a serious game in a mixed reality environment. The experiment involved two groups of volunteers, with and without amputation, who participated in three sessions with a minimum interval of two weeks. Usability, sense of embodiment, and functional performance were assessed. The results showed consistent improvements in both groups, with a clear advantage for the group with amputation, which presented 27 superior indicators, 8 ties, and 4 inferior ones in the first evaluation. In the third session, the group progressed to 32 superior indicators, 6 ties, and 1 inferior, in addition to a lower standard deviation in 88% of cases. The findings suggest that MRProsthesis was effective in enhancing the sense of embodiment and improving myoelectric control.