Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/16216
Title: Using 3D sensing and projecting technology to improve the mobility of Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Amini, Amin
Advisors: Banitsas, K
Keywords: Kinect;Microsoft;ToF;FOG;Gait
Issue Date: 2018
Publisher: Brunel University London
Abstract: Parkinson’s is a neurological condition in which parts of the brain responsible for movements becomes incapacitated over time due to the abnormal dopamine equilibrium. Freezing of Gait (FOG) is one of the main Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms that affects patients not only physically but also psychologically as it prevents them from fulfilling simple tasks such as standing up or walking. Different auditory and visual cues have been proven to be very effective in improving the mobility of People with Parkinson’s (PwP). Nonetheless, many of the available methods require user intervention or devices to be worn, charged, etc. to activate the cues. This research suggests a system that can provide an unobtrusive facility to detect FOG and falling in PwP as well as monitoring and improving their mobility using laser-based visual cues casted by an automated laser system. It proposes a new indoor method for casting a set of two parallel laser lines as a dynamic visual cue in front of a subject’s feet based on the subject’s head direction and 3D location in a room. The proposed system controls the movement of a set of pan/tilt servo motors and laser pointers using a microcontroller based on the real-time skeletal information acquired from a Kinect v2 sensor. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is created that enables users to control and adjust the settings based on the user preferences. The system was tested and trained by 12 healthy participants and reviewed by 15 PwP who suffer from frequent FOG episodes. The results showed the possibility of employing the system as an indoor and on-demand visual cue system for PwP that does not rely on the subject’s input or introduce any additional complexities to operate. Despite limitations regarding its outdoor use, feedback was very positive in terms of domestic usability and convenience, where 12/15 PwP showed interest in installing and using the system at their homes.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/16216
Appears in Collections:Electronic and Computer Engineering
Dept of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Theses

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
FulltextThesis.pdf6.38 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in BURA are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.