Thera Vr
Thera provides children with disabilities an adventure of a lifetime by giving them the agency to foster independence and wonder.
Tools Used
Unreal Engine | Autodesk Maya | Adobe Photoshop
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Objective
To provide children with neuromuscular diseases a gamification of physical therapy for treatment and holistic healing, through an adventure of a lifetime by giving them the agency to foster independence and wonder.
All while exercising targeted muscles to maintain muscle density and strength as well as delaying muscle atrophy. Rekindling the playfulness of childhood!
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Problem
Symptoms of neuromuscular diseases are often aggravated by psychosomatic factors triggered by stress, environmental elements, loss of hope, and cognitive dissonance caused by the degradation of the body.
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Approach
Focusing on three pillars of physical therapy to articulate the basic movements of their daily routines.
Focuses on three pillars of Physical therapy
balance
This level aims to help children practice their balance by skiing down a mountain while avoiding obstacles. It targets the back, shoulders, triceps and bicep muscles as the movement is controlled by holding the arms outstretched and opening them to the side for speed.
Strength
This level aims to exercise the children’s heart, trunk, spine, arms and lower back muscles with a rowing motion to kayak down a stream. It increases endurance and muscle elasticity by repeated dynamic movements.
Breathing
This level aims at relaxing the child after intense exercise by diaphragmatic breathing. This type of breathing helps improve posture, increases diaphragm and core strength as well as slowing down respiration.
Process
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Key Research Insights
- We received a positive response to the project
-Expand the scope of the project includes several other neuromuscular diseases that share similar symptoms
-Great tool to produce dopamine
-Away to get patterns of movement activated before any activity
-Giving the patient an opportunity to be auto-sufficient and look forward to therapy
-Patients are encouraged to work on their balance and strength
-Most of the exercise focus on basic things focusing on their muscle strength and postures
-Therapy is highly encouraged after diagnosis
-Most of the exercises can be guided for the patient to follow
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We counducted 4 rounds of testing in order to get a futher feedback in the executed movements, as well as the implementation of the experience in the medical field.
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Based on feedbacks given from professionals, and our initial Game flow, we started development of Thera by building game mechanics for users, implementation of 3D assets, and soothing audio that helps with immersiveness.
