Shin Takeuchi

Development of a handedness exchange support system using tangible devices

This study is aimed toward development of the system which supports early rehabilitation training of upper-limbs paralysis. The form of rehabilitation training covered is handedness exchange. Among rehabilitation for functional impairments to a persons dominant hand, in addition to functional training targeting the affected area, there is also training that aims to enable the person to use their other (non-dominant) hand instead. This handedness exchange rehabilitation training aims to bring out the potential functional capability of the non-dominant hand. This training involves practicing manipulating chopsticks and penmanship practice, and because it requires manipulation of delicate tools, the burden for patients can be significant. We have produced a prototype system that can be carried out with patients enjoying handedness exchange even within medical wards. In this paper, we describe the availability of our system to training program of handedness exchange.

Development of training system for finger dexterity: use in rehabilitation for upper body paralysis

Occupational therapists use rehabilitation training to attempt to recover use of the fingers in people whose fingers have been paralyzed by brain damage or some other means. Our research aims to support some of this training using computer technology, and we are developing a rehabilitation system that is both small and portable. This paper will describe the finger training system that we have developed.