Development of a Gamified Physiotherapy System for PostsurgicalRehabilitation

Abstract

Traditional postsurgical physiotherapy often suffers from poor patient adherence because of its non
motivating nature, leading to suboptimal recovery. This study addresses this challenge by designing and
developing a novel gamified rehabilitation system, rigorously grounded in Self-Determination Theory
(SDT) and Flow Theory, to enhance intrinsic motivation and sustained engagement. The system integrates
motion sensors, a mobile application, and a therapist dashboard, transforming traditional exercises into
adaptive, interactive game-like experiences with real-time feedback and remote monitoring capabilities.
Utilizing an Agile methodology with Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) and iterative
prototyping, the system was developed to feature a mobile client, API, MySQL database, and motion
sensors for real-time movement tracking and exercise recognition. A mixed-methods evaluation, involving
13 participants (10 patients, 3 therapists) was conducted to assess its effectiveness. Results demonstrated
significant improvements in patient engagement and usability showing a 41% increase in session
completion rates, 54% longer session durations, and System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 81.3. The
system achieved 91% accuracy in movement detection, enhancing therapeutic precision, and facilitated
improved data-driven monitoring for therapists. These findings validate the system's capacity to
significantly boost adherence, exercise accuracy, and patient motivation. This study provides a scalable,
evidence-based prototype and empirical foundation for technology-enhanced physiotherapy, offering a
practical and cost-effective solution for clinical and remote rehabilitation.