Problem Definition

Therapy for children, particularly those with physical or developmental challenges, often requires repetitive and structured activities to improve motor skills, balance, and coordination. Traditional methods, while effective, can be monotonous and lack engagement, making it difficult for children to stay motivated and enthusiastic throughout their therapy sessions. This lack of engagement can lead to reduced effectiveness of the therapy, slower progress, and, in some cases, a complete aversion to the necessary exercises.

1.1.                 Challenges in Traditional Therapy

• Monotony and Lack of Engagement: Traditional therapy exercises can be repetitive and uninteresting, causing children to lose interest quickly. This disengagement can significantly hinder their progress and overall therapy outcomes.
• Limited Interaction and Feedback: Standard therapy practices often lack interactive elements that provide real-time feedback to both the therapist and the child. This can make it difficult to adjust exercises in real-time to better suit the child's immediate needs (Ferreira, 2020).
• Difficulty in Monitoring Progress: Monitoring a child's progress typically involves subjective assessments and manual record-keeping. This method is not only time-consuming but can also lead to inconsistencies and inaccuracies in tracking improvements.
• Limited Motivation: Children may struggle to understand the importance of their therapy exercises and thus may not be motivated to perform them diligently. This lack of motivation can slow down their progress and reduce the overall effectiveness of the therapy (Brezinka, 2012).

1.2.                 Need for an Innovative Solution

Given these challenges, there is a significant need for a device that can make therapy sessions more engaging, interactive, and efficient. The ideal solution would incorporate elements that make therapy fun and motivating for children while providing therapists with accurate, real-time data on the child's performance and progress.

1.3.                 The Proposed Solution

The device we propose is designed specifically to address these issues by integrating advanced sensor technology with interactive software applications. This stand-alone measuring node aims to enhance therapy sessions in several keyways:

• Interactive Therapy Sessions: By incorporating interactive elements, such as a rehabilitation game developed in Python using the Pygame library for the camera or .Net for the sensor node, the device can turn mundane exercises into engaging activities. Children can control game elements through their movements, which makes the therapy sessions more enjoyable, fun, and motivating.  (M, 2022).
• Real-time Feedback and Monitoring: The device provides real-time feedback to both the therapist and the child. This immediate feedback allows for on-the-fly adjustments to exercises, ensuring that the therapy remains effective.
• Accurate Progress Tracking: The device includes sensors that accurately measure the child’s movements and performance. These measurements are processed and stored and can be used to generate detailed PDF reports. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of the child’s progress, enabling more informed decisions about their therapy plan.
• Convenience for Therapists: The Windows application developed for this device is user-friendly, allowing therapists to easily set up sessions, monitor progress, and generate reports. This ease of use reduces the administrative burden on therapists, allowing them to focus more on direct patient care.