Palpable technology helps rehabilitate children with different abilities

A new technology from the European research project PalCom makes rehabilitation more effective and enjoyable for children with motor or cognitive impairments. The prototype, developed in collaboration with an Italian hospital, is a set of interactive tiles used during swimming pool therapy.

One of the outcomes of the European research project PalCom is a new technology for rehabilitation children with Down's syndrome, autism or other kinds of physical and cognitive impairment. The prototype is called 'Active Surfaces' and consists of interactive tiles designed for event games during swimming pool therapy.

Therapists configure the tiles in specific patterns that the children will have to reconstruct during the game in the water. The children then have to discover the correct combination, for example how to put in sequence different images from the smallest to the biggest.

Therapists can configure the waterproof tiles on-the-fly. The prototype is easy and fun to use – for both therapists and children. The tiles can be configured in many different ways and offer a stimulating and exciting environment for therapy, says Professor Patrizia Marti from the University of Siena. She is one of the researchers behind the new technology.

The prototype is developed and tested in close cooperation with the rehabilitation unit of the Le Scotte hospital in Siena. The scenario is a swimming-pool, because the water allows the children to move more effortlessly. Many of them have problems with their balance, some cannot walk, and others have difficulties in social relations or in maintaining the focus of attention. Active Surfaces creates a stimulating environment where they can play and have fun.

The new technology is the fruit of international cooperation within the research project PalCom. The purpose of PalCom is to develop a new approach to pervasive computing; 'palpable computing'.

The Active Surfaces prototype is a textbook example of palpable technology: It is straightforward to use and easy to modify in accordance with the changing needs of users, says Professor Patrizia Marti.

The prototype will be presented at the Fifth Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction – CHItaly – on the 29th of June 2007, in Padua (http://www.ist-palcom.org/activities/chitaly-2007/).

About the PalCom project
PalCom (IST 002057) is a four-year integrated project that is funded by the European Union. Over 100 researchers and professional developers take part in PalCom. They come from universities and IT companies all over Europe. Read more about PalCom at the project's web page: http://www.ist-palcom.org

Most Popular Now

Using Data and AI to Create Better Healt…

Academic medical centers could transform patient care by adopting principles from learning health systems principles, according to researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of California, San Diego. In...

AI Medical Receptionist Modernizing Doct…

A virtual medical receptionist named "Cassie," developed through research at Texas A&M University, is transforming the way patients interact with health care providers. Cassie is a digital-human assistant created by Humanate...

Northern Ireland Completes Nationwide Ro…

Go-lives at Western and Southern health and social care trusts mean every pathology service is using the same laboratory information management system; improving efficiency and quality. An ambitious technology project to...

AI Tool Set to Transform Characterisatio…

A multinational team of researchers, co-led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has developed and tested a new AI tool to better characterise the diversity of individual cells within...

AI Detects Hidden Heart Disease Using Ex…

Mass General Brigham researchers have developed a new AI tool in collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to probe through previously collected CT scans and identify...

Human-AI Collectives Make the Most Accur…

Diagnostic errors are among the most serious problems in everyday medical practice. AI systems - especially large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4, Gemini, or Claude 3 - offer new ways...

MHP-Net: A Revolutionary AI Model for Ac…

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Accurate segmentation of liver tumors is a crucial step for the management of the...

Highland Marketing Announced as Official…

Highland Marketing has been named, for the second year running, the official communications partner for HETT Show 2025, the UK's leading digital health conference and exhibition. Taking place 7-8 October...

Groundbreaking TACIT Algorithm Offers Ne…

Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a novel algorithm that could provide a revolutionary tool for determining the best options for patients - both in the treatment...

The Many Ways that AI Enters Rheumatolog…

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the standard to diagnose and assess progression in interstitial lung disease (ILD), a key feature in systemic sclerosis (SSc). But AI-assisted interpretation has the potential...