Week 8: Initial Prototypes.

I've spent the past week developing basic prototype games to show the basic ideas for my games. Both will be testing tremor and movement strategies. However, accelerometer controls are still under development and only have touchscreen movement using sidebars.
The first game is a collection game of sort, where you move the ball over the block as fast as you can, having a bar showing score and time.
The second game consists of a ball in a maze, and the goal is to move it to the hole.
As I said, these are just simple prototypes, and I aim to develop both the visual and logical areas further; as well as the variety and viability. This week I plan to focus more on the accelerometer controls, having received an temporary ipod touch to test and develop with.
Also working on finalizing topic proposal.

Initial Remarks

I will endeavor to log my thesis efforts on this blog. The exact titling for my project is still under consideration, but I will attempt to summarize it. I am attempting to build an iOS application, primarily on the iPhone to function as an AHTD, or At Home Testing Device. This device will assist in the review and assessment of Parkinson effected people. The management of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) could be greatly aided by the availability of an AHTD for frequent, quantitative monitoring of motor symptoms in PD. Thanks to Philip Leong for taking me under his guidance as my Supervisor. Currently I am studying the topic area and literature, as well as improving my iOS development knowledge.

I have read an extract from the IEEE Transactions on Neutral Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering paper titled "On the Use of Low-Cost Computer Peripherals for the Assessment of Motor Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease – Qualification of Bradykinesia Using Target Tracking Tasks". This paper has revealed to me some variables to consider in the creation and testing of my product. I believe Bradykinesia refers to the irregular and abrupt stopping of movement afflicted on some PD patients. Patients also suffer from tremors, though I am currently unsure how violent these can be. Bradykinesia and Tremor data appear to be useful in the diagnosis of PD assessment, and thus I should aim to identify and record them.

I am making small steps in my iOS development, having currently made a program to accept input to move a small picture around a screen. I aim to have a basic rolling ball game coded before the end of semester. This game will test the tremor and overall dexterity of patients. I am also considering a replication of the nine hole peg test, which will also provide tremor analysis, but also may provide more accurate Bradykinesia readings. It also requires more dexterity and will most likely provide more information on PD patients.