Kinect-based stroke recovery aid developed

Scientists have created a new system to help stroke patients recover manual agility that utilises Kinect, the motion-sensing peripheral for the Xbox 360 videogame console.

The University of Southampton, in association with Roke Manor Research, has developed an algorithm that uses Kinect to track and measure hand joint angles and the fine dexterity of individual finger movements among stroke victims.

It is hoped that this can be used to create a series of videogames that will help patients to perform regular and precise exercises in an engaging way, with data being fed back to clinicians monitoring their progress.

This will complement the home-based physiotherapy care already offered to UK patients and reduce their need for regular hospital visits.

Dr Cheryl Metcalf, of the faculty of health sciences at the University of Southampton, said: "Using Kinect, we have been able to take a commercially available product and develop a highly novel tool that aims to be both cost effective and clinically applicable."

NHS data reveals that more than 150,000 people suffer a stroke each year in the UK, making it the third biggest cause of death after heart disease and cancer.