Liu Yuanyuan, Zhang Qiong, Li Weiyi
Department of Industrial Design, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Shahe Campus, Beihang University, No. 9 Nansan Road, Shahe Higher Education ParkChangping District, Beijing, 102206, China.
J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2025 May 20;22(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s12984-025-01643-7.
Lower-limb rehabilitation is crucial for restoring motor function in individuals with physical impairments; however, traditional rehabilitation approaches often encounter challenges such as limited resources and reduced patient motivation. Augmented reality (AR) offers an innovative approach by enriching rehabilitation with interactive and engaging experiences, thereby enhancing both motivation and treatment outcomes. AR environments enable patients to practice exercises in an immersive setting that emulates real-life scenarios, potentially increasing adherence and improving functional recovery.
This scoping review analyzed 25 peer-reviewed studies on the use of AR within the "Environment" component of the Human-Computer-Environment system for lower-limb rehabilitation. We present a taxonomy of existing AR systems, categorizing them by rehabilitation tasks (content) and interaction modes (form), which identify both physical and virtual elements that contribute to a supportive AR environment.
The findings suggest that well-designed AR environments offer a flexible and cost-effective approach to various rehabilitation tasks. Customization is essential for addressing specific rehabilitation stages, including muscle strengthening, balance improvement, and gait training. The integration of multisensory feedback, such as visual, auditory, and haptic cues, enhances patient engagement and provides real-time performance monitoring. Effective AR environments must also account for the distinct needs of each limb, particularly for bilateral impairments, and ensure sufficient space for safe movement. By providing an individualized rehabilitation experience, AR environments have the potential to significantly improve patient motivation and outcomes. Future research should explore the integration of AR environments with assistive technologies, such as wearable devices and exoskeletons, to further enhance rehabilitation possibilities.
下肢康复对于恢复身体有损伤个体的运动功能至关重要；然而，传统的康复方法常常面临资源有限和患者积极性降低等挑战。增强现实（AR）通过为康复增添互动且引人入胜的体验提供了一种创新方法，从而提高积极性和治疗效果。AR环境使患者能够在模拟现实生活场景的沉浸式环境中练习运动，可能会提高依从性并改善功能恢复。
本范围综述分析了25项关于在人机环境系统的“环境”组件中使用AR进行下肢康复的同行评审研究。我们提出了现有AR系统的分类法，按康复任务（内容）和交互模式（形式）对其进行分类，这确定了有助于形成支持性AR环境的物理和虚拟元素。
研究结果表明，设计良好的AR环境为各种康复任务提供了一种灵活且具有成本效益的方法。定制对于解决特定的康复阶段至关重要，包括肌肉强化、平衡改善和步态训练。多感官反馈（如视觉、听觉和触觉线索）的整合增强了患者的参与度并提供实时性能监测。有效的AR环境还必须考虑每个肢体的独特需求，特别是对于双侧损伤，并确保有足够的安全运动空间。通过提供个性化的康复体验，AR环境有可能显著提高患者的积极性和治疗效果。未来的研究应探索将AR环境与可穿戴设备和外骨骼等辅助技术相结合，以进一步增强康复可能性。
