The use of augmented reality in the teaching and training of basic exercises involved in the non-surgical treatment of neck pain

Abstract

In this study, a new holographic supervision method was developed that enables patients to correctly apply the exercise movements associated with the non-surgical treatment of neck pain. The proposed method uses augmented reality technology to teach patients the correct exercise movements and supervise them, ensuring that they perform these exercises correctly. Previous studies have shown that patients generally do not adhere to prescribed treatments or may not perform the required exercises correctly. Thus, this system was developed to ease the workload of physical therapists and medical doctors. It uses a head-mounted device named HoloLens as well as some markers. Exercise movements are first taught to patients using holographic videos, guiding holograms, and sounds. The movements of the patients are subsequently observed using the sensors available on the HoloLens as well as markers placed around the patient to ensure that patients maintain the correct angle, duration, and the number of repetitions during the exercises. A methodology that employed finite-state machines was used to develop this software. To quantify the benefits of this system, tests were conducted on a total of 30 participants that were split equally into a control group and an experimental group. The duration, repetition, and angle error rates in the control group (who did not use the device) were 36.4%, 8%, and 27.3%, respectively; the corresponding error rates in the experiment group (who were provided with the device) were 0%, 0%, and 9.1%. Thus, a system has been developed that can address the issue of patients who do not adhere to treatment programs or apply them incorrectly. This study represents the first time that the exercises for the treatment of neck pain were taught and supervised with holograms instead of physical therapists.