A system that helps knee osteoarthritis patients do rehabilitation exercises at home using video games and biofeedback.
Official title: Knee-Biofeedback Rehabilitation Interface for Game-based Home Therapy (KneeBRIGHT)
Funded at Barron Associates, INC. · NIH-10754273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun new way to help people with knee osteoarthritis strengthen their muscles at home by using video games that guide them through exercises while tracking their muscle activity, making rehab more enjoyable and easier to stick with.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Barron Associates, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2018 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $951,526 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AG062069-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10754273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who are seeking effective home-based rehabilitation solutions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe mobility limitations or those who are unable to engage with video game technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The Knee Biofeedback Rehabilitation Interface for Game-based Home Therapy (KneeBRIGHT) combines electromyography (EMG) biofeedback with video game therapy to create an engaging rehabilitation tool for patients with knee osteoarthritis. This innovative system uses wireless EMG electrodes to monitor muscle activity and provides automated guidance through fun, evidence-based exercise routines. By transforming traditional rehabilitation exercises into enjoyable activities, KneeBRIGHT aims to improve patient adherence and motivation for regular muscle strengthening at home. This approach addresses the common challenges of unsupervised exercise and aims to enhance the overall rehabilitation experience.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the rehabilitation outcomes for knee osteoarthritis patients by increasing their engagement and adherence to exercise routines.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using gamification and biofeedback for rehabilitation, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Barron Associates, INC.
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krepkovich, Eileen T. — Barron Associates, INC.
- Study coordinator: Krepkovich, Eileen T.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.