Development of a virtual reality bicycle simulator for rehabilitation training of postural balance

Development of a virtual-reality training system based on an exercise bicycle and a personal-computer for rehabilitation of motor functions and balance capability in elderly patients has been described. The system can take three inputs from the bicycle: the pedaling speed, the direction of the handles, and the location of the center of pressure on the supporting base of the bicycle. These inputs allow user interactions with a virtual environment that increase motivation of the user. A series of experiments were conducted with three different visual feedback conditions: without visual feedback of balance information; with visual feedback of weight shift; or with visual feedback of the center of pressure. The assessment of balance parameters obtained from the experiments showed the improvement of balance capability on the bicycle. Especially, the visual feedback of weight shift most increased the effectiveness of the training. The findings suggest that the system might be used as a balance and motor function rehabilitation system with further objective measurements of balance ability of the patients in longer terms.