News : Virtual body rehab

Dutch researchers have developed a system they say could help people learn to walk and balance sooner after an injury or stroke by displaying a virtual image of their body and moving muscles on the screen in real time.

Monitors placed all over a patient's body send digital images to the virtual body, which shows on a giant screen exactly which muscles are moving and exactly how they flex and contract.

Researchers say the immediate visualization of muscle forces could help speed up rehabilitation of patients learning how to walk or balance again.

It could dramatically benefit stroke sufferers, amputees, people recovering from injuries as well as athletes who want to improve technique or prevent injury.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHIEL WESTERMANN, MOTEK MEDICAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ESTER BUUR, MOTEK DEVELOPER