Nintendo WII remote and Nunchuck as a wireless data subsystem for digital acquisition of analog physiologic data relevant to motor rehabilitation after stroke

Physical therapy is a process that applies to more than one million people every year to regain movement in upper extremities. This process requires, in addition to exercise, a strong motivation to achieve the desired results. Studies have shown that the exercises based on the use of robots and computer-simulated systems provide better motivation for patients, making them adhere to therapy and further enhance results. In addition to restoring movement, it is necessary to measure the force with which the patients moved their fingers, (opening and closing the hand, for example). This requires force or pressure sensors and an additional system to measure these variables. The Nintendo Wiimote is a wireless data subsystem that integrates motion sensors, an IR sensor (which can function as a video camera in 1024 times 768 at 60 Hz). The Wiimote has a serial expansion port for I2C devices such as the nunchuck. Via this port the wiimote is a low-cost wireless subsystem that can be used to send physiological data like finger forces that are relevant to motor rehabilitation.