What is it about?
Our research looks at how we can help people who've had a stroke get better using tangible technology. We know that mindfulness and physical activities can help, so we wanted to see if we could combine them in a new way. First, we talked to experts in physical therapy and mindfulness to understand how these methods could work together. From these conversations, we learned that mindfulness is all about being aware, and touch can help with that. So, we created a new kind of technology called Mindfulness-based Embodied Tangible Interactions (MBETI). This technology lets stroke patients interact with things they can touch while also helping them be more mindful. We came up with five important rules for designing this technology, like making sure it's easy to use and helps people stay focused. This is just the start—we're excited to keep exploring how technology can help stroke patients get better.
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Why is it important?
What sets our research apart is that we're breaking new ground in stroke rehabilitation technology. While other approaches focus on either mindfulness or physical interactions, we're pioneering a method that combines the two in a novel way. This means stroke patients can benefit from both mindfulness techniques and engaging physical interactions simultaneously, potentially speeding up their recovery process. By introducing the concept of Mindfulness-based Embodied Tangible Interactions (MBETI), we're opening up a whole new avenue for technological intervention in stroke rehabilitation. This could lead to more effective and enjoyable therapies for stroke patients, ultimately improving their quality of life. Our work isn't just about theory—we've developed practical design principles that can guide the creation of these innovative technologies. This means our research has the potential to directly influence the development of future stroke rehabilitation tools, making it of interest to researchers, clinicians, and technology developers alike.
Perspectives
This publication holds a special place in my heart as it marks a significant milestone in my career—it's my very first paper in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The journey to this point has been one of learning, growth, and perseverance. Over the course of eight months, I dedicated myself to this project, pouring countless hours into research, collaboration, and refinement. Every challenge and breakthrough along the way has shaped not only the paper itself but also my understanding of HCI and its potential to impact lives. Being selected to present our work at a prestigious conference like CHI is a moment of immense pride for me. It's a validation of the hard work and dedication that went into this paper, and it's incredibly humbling to have the opportunity to share our findings with the HCI community. More than anything, this experience has reinforced my passion for using technology to address real-world challenges, particularly in healthcare. I'm excited to continue exploring the intersection of mindfulness, tangible interactions, and rehabilitation, and I'm grateful for the support of my colleagues and mentors who have guided me along the way.
Preetham Madapura Nagaraj
University College London
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Mindfulness-based Embodied Tangible Interactions for Stroke Rehabilitation at Home, May 2024, ACM (Association for Computing Machinery),
DOI: 10.1145/3613904.3642463.
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