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Computer Assisted Music Therapy: A Case Study of an Augmented Reality Musical System for Children with Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation

This article presents an experiment conducted with an Augmented Reality musical system for music therapy. In this system, colored cards with graphic symbols replace the music keyboard. Unlike the keyboard, composed of unchangeable and fixed keys, in this system the therapist can print cards of different sizes and place them in various ways, according to the desired motor exercise. Each card represents a different musical note in the timbre of a given musical instrument. A colored virtual cube is attached to each card. A music therapist initially evaluated the system and later an experiment was conducted with a child with cerebral palsy. Results showed the potential of this software in the rehabilitation process.

Perception of Health Professional about Clinical Utility of an Augmented Reality Musical System to Motor and Cognitive Rehabilitation

GenVirtual is a augmented reality musical software that allows development of activities in music therapy. This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of other health professionals about the clinical utility of GenVirtual. A secondary objective was to understand the attitudes of these professionals facing the augmented reality technology. Three focus groups composed of music therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and nurses who assist people with motor or cognitive disabilities were assigned. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The outcomes showed that the view of the participants about the GenVirtual is as a tool that has great potential to be used in motor rehabilitation. The research brought new insights regarding the clinical use of GenVirtual with children, youth, adults and seniors and provided information about new features and improvements for future developments of the GenVirtual software.

Contributions of an Augmented Reality Musical System for the Stimulation of Motor Skills in Music Therapy Sessions

The music is able to awaken the most varied emotions in humans. According to Robert et al. (1988), listening to music, the ear transforms sound into electrical signals reaching the brain leading to increased production of endorphins. This hormone causes a sensation of wellbeing and relaxes the body, reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Human organism is endowed with a sound system capable of commanding the perception and production of sounds. When there is an imbalance in this system, the sick person feels less motivated and sadder. In this context, music can act as a therapeutic factor bringing back the balance that this person needs (Robert et al. 1988), (Leme, 1999).

Perceptions of clinical utility of an Augmented Reality musical software among health care professionals.

Abstract Purpose: Augmented Reality musical software (GenVirtual) is a technology, which primarily allows users to develop music activities for rehabilitation. This study aimed to analyse the perceptions of health care professionals regarding the clinical utility of GenVirtual. A second objective was to identify improvements to GenVirtual software and similar technologies. Method: Music therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapist who assist people with physical and cognitive disabilities were enrolled in three focus groups. The quantitative and qualitative data were collected through inductive thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: the use of GenVirtual in health care areas; opportunities for realistic application of GenVirtual; and limitations in the use of GenVirtual. The registration units identified were: motor stimulation, cognitive stimulation, verbal learning, recreation activity, musicality, accessibility, motivation, sonic accuracy, interference of lighting, poor sound, children and adults. Conclusion: This research suggested that the GenVirtual is a complementary tool to conventional clinical practice and has great potential to motor and cognitive rehabilitation of children and adults. Implications for Rehabilitation Gaining health professional’ perceptions of the Augmented Reality musical game (GenVirtual) give valuable information as to the clinical utility of the software. GenVirtual was perceived as a tool that could be used as enhancing the motor and cognitive rehabilitation process. GenVirtual was viewed as a tool that could enhance clinical practice and communication among various agencies, but it was suggested that it should be used with caution to avoid confusion and replacement of important services.

AR Musical App for Children's Musical Education

This article presents an Augmented Reality App for musical learning. The App works by verifying whether sequences of musical notes were correctly colored in a printed pentagram (target). Meanwhile, an animation in AR with a 3D character dancing to the rhythm of the melody is initiated. It was tested with six children and the results point towards the great potential of this tool for enhancing childrens musical education.

Tecnologias Assistivas Livres para Inclusão de Alunos com Deficiência no Projeto UCA

Este artigo apresenta resultados de um estudo de viabilidade do usodas ferramentas de acessibilidade nos laptops educacionais no âmbito doprojeto UCA. Como resultados podemos obter uma lista de ferramentas eleitaspor especialistas, em um teste piloto, a partir das suas experiencias comcriancas com deficiencia, assim como avaliar as dificuldades e satisfacoes decriancas com deficiencia que realizaram atividades propostas pelosespecialistas no laptop UCA com as ferramentas selecionadas.