Purpose: Manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) face challenges in wheelchair skill training (WSTr) due to the complexity of learning advanced skills and limited access to rehabilitation services. This review aims to summarize existing WSTr methods for individuals with SCI/disabilities and propose the use of Augmented Reality (AR)-enhanced Immediate Visual Feedback (ARe-IVF) learning modules for wheelie and curbing skill training.
Methods: The proposed ARe-IVF learning modules will incorporate AR-enhanced visual feedback, allowing users to visualize spatial and temporal aspects of wheelchair skills and assess their performance through computer vision technology. These modules are designed to tailor the learning experience to each user's SCI level, age, gender, body height, and weight. Key features of the ARe-IVF modules include verbal cues, computer graphic indications, and AR-enhanced feedback to support skill acquisition.
Results: The anticipated outcomes of the ARe-IVF modules include improved safety and effectiveness in WSTr by providing intuitive and concise guidance for key movements in wheelie and curbing maneuvers. Additionally, these modules offer an accessible alternative WSTr method for manual wheelchair users, caregivers, and rehabilitation therapists, with potential applications in Rehabilitation Centers, Hospitals, or home settings.
Conclusion: The ARe-IVF learning modules present an innovative approach to WSTr for manual wheelchair users with SCI, so that the modules provide promising learning outcomes through tailored, AR-supported feedback. This approach may empower wheelchair users to develop advanced skills with increased safety and confidence, ultimately improving rehabilitation outcomes and expanding training accessibility.
Keywords: Wheelchair skill training; augmented reality; immediate visual feedback, and computer vision analysis; virtual reality.
The ARe-IVF learning modules aim to improve wheelchair skill training by offering immediate visual feedback and AR enhanced technology, particularly benefiting manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI).The project intends to enable tele-rehabilitation capacity in wheelchair skill training for individuals with SCI/disability, especially for those in underserved communities and rural areas.These alternative training methods will make wheelchair skill training more attractive, accessible, and feasible for manual wheelchair users in rehabilitation and will address the shortage of rehabilitation services and healthcare cost affordability concerns.