Using Fitt's Law to Model Arm Motion Tracked in 3D by a Leap Motion Controller for Virtual Reality Upper Arm Stroke Rehabilitation

Early and intensive physical therapy can improve upper arm and hand functionality for stroke survivors. Virtual reality systems that utilize state-of-art natural user interface tracking sensors and adaptive user profiling software has the potential to supplement traditional physiotherapy and engage patients to sustain beneficial quantity and quality of rehabilitation. In this paper we provide an overview of the problem area and present results from an initial experiment with healthy users. The potential for Fitts's law to model user motion effectively in reach and touch tasks within 3D virtual environments is investigated. Results indicate that Fitts's law may be effective though we propose that it would best be used as part of a more complex model of user motion.