This website is entirely dedicated to our project, where you will find news and results of our work.
For this occasion, a temporary logo has been created.
Our project is progressing… After a long period marked by administrative/legal issues, our partners were finally able to secure their funding in February 2024, allowing them to effectively start the work (the agreement with the funder has been signed since the end of October 2023).
We are happy to be able to meet today to collaborate and bring to life the ideas that have been carefully considered.
The recruitment of our Software Engineering Expert has started for an effective start date in early May.
Axis 1: Fine evaluation of patient mobility in VR (LCOMS, DEVAH)
Regarding this axis, our PhD student conducted a systematic literature review of methods and techniques for assessing mobility in healthy older adults. The article entitled “Mobility Assessment for Healthy Older Adults: a Systematic Review” is currently being proofread before submission to a journal.
We have decided on the choice of equipment dedicated to mobility testing application. Orders must now be placed. It will be important to include a Usability-Acceptability component for caregivers/nurses who will be using this system.
After discussion, it appears that several physiological signals can be integrated into this evaluation tool. The appropriate sensors now need to be selected.
Axis 2: Patient remobilization via VR/XR exergames (Mist Studio, Dinertia, LCOMS, Staps)
Mist Studio will develop a VR/XR application based on the individual’s capabilities. XR is interesting as it provides a more secure experience with real-world vision. VR with high immersion is reserved for the most mobile individuals. Converting the VR/XR application is apparently quite feasible.
The chosen hardware is a Meta Quest 3 standalone headset, which is sufficiently powerful for evaluating upper body movements.
During discussions, the idea of validating a protocol to assess the virtual-to-real transferability of remobilization was suggested. Subjective feeling indicators and objective indicators from exercises and daily monitoring could be studied for this purpose. An assessment of mental workload could also be conducted using the well-known NASA TLX.
In a first step, we will define basic exercises with Mist Studio (e.g., upper limb elevation) while studying the scene’s complexity (distractions, environment +/- complexity, cognitive load) to prepare for gamification in future exercises.
We also need to decide on a stylized or realistic immersive environment. The idea is to involve users to gather their opinions. The creation of evaluation focus groups will be done as soon as the 2 demonstration applications are completed. This co-design will allow us to ensure better acceptability of the software part.
Within this axis, we proposed 2 project topics with students from the Télécom Nancy engineering school. One focuses on light remobilization exercises using a webcam and posture recognition tools from AI. The second project aims to compare the accuracy of lower limb movement data between a method using multiple inertial sensors and a method with a single sensor on the foot using inverse kinematics to reconstruct displacement data.
Axis 3: Patient mobility monitoring autonomously (Cybernano)
The final choice of sensor is made based on the primary criterion of autonomy. Initial developments allow for data exchange between the sensor and the smartphone. The second phase of development concerns the creation of the web interface for retrieving and displaying sensor data (differentiated access: Admin, Practitioner/Caregiver, Patient).
In this context, a 2nd-year IT intern has been recruited with project funds. Initial ecological tests should be conducted in September 2024 in partnership with OHS Lorraine.