Development of Assistive Technology Using Gametherapy for Congenital Clubfoot Treatment

This paper introduces a novel approach to treat Congenital Clubfoot (CC), a condition impairing the mobility and quality of life in young children. Despite the effectiveness of the Ponseti method for the treatment of CC, there are practical challenges, particularly in Brazil. Our study proposes a game-based therapeutic system that integrates an embedded system for motion detection and pressure measurement, targeting the specific rehabilitation needs of children with CC. The system includes an MPU6050 accelerometer/gyroscope sensor and a custom-made Velostat pressure sensor matrix. These components communicate via Bluetooth and I2C protocols to facilitate therapeutic exercises such as eversion and dorsiflexion of the feet. The project also features the Hofeet Portal, a Flask-based web interface for healthcare professionals to manage patient data efficiently. The gaming aspect involves "Bam-boo!", a 2D Unity game designed for children aged 3 to 7. This game incorporates activities for the correction of CC, engaging children in a fun and interactive manner. The remote control for the game uses a rotary joint connected to a slipper-shaped controller, allowing natural foot movement. Economic considerations, especially in public healthcare networks, guided the selection of cost-effective and accessible technologies such as Arduino and Unity. This interdisciplinary approach aims to improve compliance with CC treatment, reduce discomfort, and improve results. The project exemplifies the potential to integrate technology, healthcare and gaming in pediatric physiotherapy, potentially serving as a model for patient-centered care innovations. Copyright (C) 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)