Feasibility Study of a Haptic-Based Catch & Heal Game for Upper Limb Rehabilitation with Motivational Support From a Social Robot

Abstract

Background

Stroke often results in upper limb impairment, requiring repetitive rehabilitation exercises that can be demotivating over time.

Aim

This study aims to develop and evaluate a rehabilitation system called Catch & Heal, which combines haptic-based gameplay and social robot-mediated motivational support to enhance upper limb therapy and user experience. The novelty of this system lies in its unified design, which combines serious gaming, physical feedback, and social interaction, an integration that remains underdeveloped in current research.

Method

Developed in Unity, the game adapts fishing mechanics to promote therapeutic wrist movements like push, pull, and rotation, mapped through joystick-based controls. Realistic haptic feedback, delivered via Arduino-driven vibration motors, simulates fish resistance to enhance motor engagement and proprioceptive response. A socially assistive robot provides real-time motivational cues, fostering emotional connection and sustained engagement. A feasibility study involving thirty healthy participants (M = 22.73 years) in a controlled lab setting evaluated usability, engagement, emotional response, and perceptions of robot interaction.

Results

Outcomes showed high satisfaction with the user interface (M = 4.56), strong in-game immersion (M = 3.56), and favorable reception of the robot’s support (M = 4.35). Significant correlations were found between user interface simplicity and aesthetics (r = 0.878), and between immersion and emotional outcomes (r = 0.872), highlighting therapeutic potential.

Conclusions

This integrated approach offers a promising direction for engaging and emotionally responsive rehabilitation, with future refinement focused on stroke patients.