The two main design criteria that are essential to fulfill with our design is functionality and usability. Since hemiplegia is a medical condition where there is a severe or complete loss of motor function on one side of the body, to be considered as functional, our device should be able to improve a patient’s condition.

Assistive devices prioritize accessibility for hemiplegic patients. As hemiplegics have limited or no use of one or part of their limbs, all functions and controls should be designed to be easily operated with only one hand without excessive hand strength or coordination. The main frame of the device can use lightweight but strong materials such as carbon fiber composites. The equipment needed to be durable enough while remaining light enough that the main frame could use a lightweight but strong material such as carbon fiber composite. Flexible activities are required at the joints to ensure that the patient’s rehabilitation goals can be reached, and soft materials are used at the skin-contacting position to ensure wearing comfort and adapt to different body shapes.

In addition to these considerations, it is vital to ensure that the device is designed for stability and balance. With features that promote a secure grip, the device minimizes the risk of tipping or slipping. Devices can be designed for zoned therapy, such as upper trunk and lower extremity, finger gloves, and can be personalized with grip sizes or attachments to meet the specific needs and comfort of patients with varying degrees of hemiplegia. Additionally, safety considerations include rounded edges, non-toxic materials, and easy-to-clean surfaces to prevent injuries and create a safe and protective environment for users.

Treatment for hemiplegia would ideally help a patient regain as much use of their affected limb(s) as possible, and as permanently as possible, with minimal to no maintenance of treatment. Motor and sensory function are the 2 most important components of normal limb function that are used in day-to-day life, and thus must be prioritized in treatment. An ideal treatment or combination of treatments would address both issues and resolve them effectively. Affordability, ease of use, and accessibility, and engagingness are further criteria that would have to be considered to be viable as a widely available and effective rehabilitation option. Since unused muscle tissue will naturally decay, a method to prevent or delay the atrophy of the affected body parts must also be included.

Strokes do not affect everyone in the same ways, so individuals with hemiplegia will have different degrees of impairment and they will all have different recovery and rehabilitation needs. The game must be able to adapt to each individual user so that each individual can achieve the most out of their rehabilitation. With different game levels and challenges that are specific to each individual, this can be achieved. One way to achieve this could be an assessment before each session with the game that could determine the motor function of each individual before they begin, so the level or challenge the game gives them is suitable for their point in their recovery.

Since different patients will have different severity levels of hemiplegia, it is important to consider two options: one for patients with less severity of hemiplegia and one for patients with severe conditions of hemiplegia. VR games have evolved a lot since it was initially released. There are simply headsets from companies like Oculus and Gear VR and then there are also some companies that have invented entire vehicle equipment for VR racing. Depending on the patient’s severity of hemiplegia, we intend to make our design adaptable for either use so that patients choose the best option based on a specialist’s recommendation.

In order for rehabilitation to be successful, the individual must be invested in their recovery. Most stroke patients are elderly, and they may find themselves less motivated to actively recover. Thus, a treatment plan would have to be engaging and give the patient hope that they could possibly recover and do things they couldn’t since their stroke. Treatment or activities that let them actively visualize or imagine their affected limb(s) working (such as mirror therapy) may spur them on to participate more in their recovery.