Portable sensor system for rehabilitation of WAD patients

Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) are several remaining symptoms after an acceleration-/deceleration injury of the neck, often due to a road accident. Common symptoms are neck pain, headache, stiffness, loss of sensation, memory impairment and concentration difficulties. The whiplash-related injuries were estimated to cost Sweden more than SEK 4 billion 2005, the main part of these costs takes the form of compensation for loss of income, as a result of incapacity for work. The aim of this project has been to develop a training and rehabilitation system for patients suffering from WAD. The portable system is based on a 2-axis gyroscopic sensor with a computer interface. The sensor system is placed on the head of the patient and movements of the head are mirrored on the computer screen. The patient is supposed to follow a visible track on the screen. This enables interactive training facilities for patients, who can use the system unsupervised in their home environment.