MoRehab XR

MoRehab XR

by | Oct 3, 2021

MoRehab XR

A motion-tracked rehabilitation platform combining immersive exergames with objective movement assessment.

Project Info

Start date

August 2020

End date

2030 (expected)

Funding

Artanim & FORE Foundation / La Tour Hospital

Coordinator

Artanim

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Summary

After stabilization surgery or a traumatic injury, physical rehabilitation is often required to restore joint function. Successful recovery depends on regular and repetitive training, but maintaining patient motivation over time can be challenging. Conventional rehabilitation can also make it difficult to objectively measure small improvements or identify a lack of progress.

MoRehab XR explores how the engaging qualities of video games can support rehabilitation through a series of exercise-based games, or exergames. Patients progress through the games by performing movements that form part of their rehabilitation program.

Using motion tracking, the platform objectively monitors recovery from session to session, adapts exercises to each patient’s abilities and needs, and helps identify persistent difficulties or insufficient progress. The resulting data also provides clinicians with quantitative information that is not readily available during conventional physical therapy.

Artanim develops the exergame platform, designs and implements the games, and creates tools for standardized assessment of patient performance. The clinical team at La Tour Hospital evaluates the usability and clinical validity of the platform.

A three-year clinical study is planned to begin following Swissmedic approval, with recruitment expected to start in early 2027. The study will evaluate the platform with patients and help assess its clinical value for rehabilitation, movement assessment and recovery monitoring.

Partners

Artanim
Design of the exergames and development of a platform to support them, along with medical assessment scores that take advantage of the motion tracking system’s extended capabilities.

La Tour Hospital – Elbow & Shoulder Orthopedics and Traumatology
Clinical testing and co-design of new physical assessment metrics adapted to the capabilities of the motion tracking system.

Related Publications

Mancuso M, Lädermann A, Schmid Dornbierer Y, Seurot A, Charbonnier C. Can the Combination of Motion Tracking and Virtual Reality Make Shoulder Rehabilitation Entertaining?, Multidiscip Biomech J, 3:47–49, 2026.
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Mancuso M, Charbonnier C. Technical evaluation of the fidelity of the HTC Vive for upper limb tracking, 42nd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports, Salzburg, Austria, July, 2024.
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CycloVR

CycloVR

by | Apr 25, 2019

CycloVR

A VR rehabilitation module designed to make bedside exercise more engaging.

Project Info

Start date

April 2019

End date

September 2019

Funding

University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG)

Coordinator

HUG – Intensive Care

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Summary

Prolonged immobilization and bed rest can have significant musculoskeletal, pulmonary, cardiovascular and metabolic consequences. Physical activity is therefore an important component of rehabilitation, helping patients maintain strength and limit the adverse effects of inactivity.

The University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) – Intensive Care developed the Cyclo rehabilitation device to adapt physical exercise to each patient’s abilities, pathology and hospitalization conditions, whether exercising from a bed, chair or wheelchair.

Within CycloVR, Artanim integrated a virtual reality module into the device to place patients in immersive environments while they exercise actively or passively. Depending on the scenario, patients can pedal along a river or cycle through a countryside landscape directly from their hospital bed.

The VR component also introduces gamified elements intended to make rehabilitation sessions more engaging and motivate patients to participate in physical exercise while reducing their awareness of the clinical environment during treatment.

Partners

University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) – Intensive Care
Development of the cycloergometer and medical supervision.

Artanim
VR module development and gamification.

Shoulder Rehabilitation

Shoulder Rehabilitation

by | Dec 7, 2014

Shoulder Rehabilitation

A biomechanical study evaluating shoulder rehabilitation exercises through motion capture and simulation.

Project Info

Start date

April 2014

End date

December 2014

Funding

University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG)

Coordinator

Artanim

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Summary

Shoulder Rehabilitation investigated how different strengthening exercises affect the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff. In patients with rotator cuff lesions, cartilage disorders or shoulder instability, rehabilitation programs aim to strengthen the shoulder while limiting subacromial impingement and excessive stress on the cartilage, labrum and tendons.

The study used motion capture and biomechanical simulation to analyze 30 to 50 rehabilitation exercises. The objective was to quantify their effects on the glenohumeral joint, including cartilage compression and subacromial impingement, as well as on rotator cuff mechanics through changes in tendon length of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor.

By providing objective biomechanical data on commonly used exercises, the project aimed to support more informed selection of shoulder rehabilitation protocols.

Partners

Artanim
Patient-specific shoulder modeling, motion analysis and biomechanical simulation.

University Hospitals of Geneva – Physical Medicine and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit
Selection and clinical evaluation of rehabilitation exercises.

University Hospitals of Geneva – Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
Medical supervision and clinical expertise.

Related Publications

Charbonnier C, Lädermann A, Kevelham B, Chagué S, Hoffmeyer P, Holzer N. Shoulder Strengthening Exercises Adapted to Specific Shoulder Pathologies Can Be Selected Using New Simulation Techniques: A Pilot Study, Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg, 13(2):321-330, 2018.
PDF · DOI

Charbonnier C, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Holzer N. Évaluation des effets potentiellement délétères d’exercices de l’épaule en fonction des pathologies rencontrées, Congrès de la Société Francophone d’Arthroscopie 2016, Paris, France, Rev Chir Orthop Traumatol, 102(8):S307, December, 2016.
PDF · DOI

Holzer N, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Charbonnier C. High differences in subacromial space height and gleno-humeral compression according to shoulder muscle exercise type, Swiss Med Wkly, Suppl. 210, 145:32S, 2015.
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Charbonnier C, Kevelham B, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Holzer N. Impact of Shoulder Strengthening Exercises on the Shoulder Joint, 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports, Poitiers, France, June, 2015.
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Charbonnier C, Kevelham B, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Holzer N. A Simplified Technique To Estimate Rotator Cuff Elongation During Complex Shoulder Motion, 29th International Congress of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, Barcelona, Spain, Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg, June, 2015.
PDF · DOI

Holzer N, Chagué S, Lädermann A, Ziltener JL, Hoffmeyer P, Charbonnier C. Impact of Shoulder Strengthening Exercises on Subacromial Space Height and on Articular Cartilages and Labrum Compression Using Motion Capture Analysis, 16th EFORT Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, June, 2015.
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