A proposed framework for an Interactive Visuotactile 3D Virtual Environment system for visuomotor rehabilitation of stroke patients

Stroke is the second greatest killer and one of the leading causes of disability. One of the results of stroke is the partial loss of vision with apparent blindness in certain parts of the visual field. Current vision restoration therapy and rehabilitation methods have not shown permanent treatment results for this type of partial loss of vision. Our research proposes the framework to design and develop a computer based vision restoration training and therapy system using Natural User Interfaces (NUIs) in an Interactive Visuotactile 3D Virtual Environment (IV-3DVE). This paper presents a proposed framework for the IV-3DVE system for visual restoration for stroke patients. This paper also provides a brief introduction to vision restoration treatment, the use of virtual environment technologies in sensorimotor rehabilitation, and natural user interfaces.