ELEMENTS

BACKGROUND Enhancing physical rehabilitative processes in the early stages following a brain injury is one of the great challenges facing therapists. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in using digital media, art, virtual reality, computer games and interactive technology as a means to engage and motivate people in physical therapy. (e.g. Assoc Prof. Brooks, Aalborg University, has developed several abstract audiovisual art works that aim to enhance the quality of life for severely disabled children.) CONTRIBUTION: This work explores theories of embodiment within interaction design and digital media art in a therapeutic context. ELEMENTS is an interactive digital artwork geared toward the upper limb movement rehabilitation of individuals with brain injury. The work integrates digital media, tangible user interfaces and artistic expression to enhance patient's motor and cognitive skills. As part of a multidisciplinary project team, I designed the soft graspable user interfaces, interactive artwork, and audiovisual feedback (visual, haptic and auditory) used to help the patients relearn movement skills. The project demonstrates how rehabilitative computer applications may benefit from embodied interaction design that enables creative expression and play. The results of patient case studies indicate that individuals relearned movement skills and increased their level of engagement. SIGNIFICANCE: ELEMENTS is supported by a Synapse Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant through the Australia Council, its Arts funding and advisory body. ELEMENTS is widely published in international journals and conferences. This version of ELEMENTS is greatly enhanced with a new interface and hardware platform.