Getting into a "Flow" state: a systematic review of flow experience in neurological diseases.

Journal: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation
PMID:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Flow is a subjective psychological state that people report when they are fully involved in an activity to the point of forgetting time and their surrounding except the activity itself. Being in flow during physical/cognitive rehabilitation may have a considerable impact on functional outcome, especially when patients with neurological diseases engage in exercises using robotics, virtual/augmented reality, or serious games on tablets/computer. When developing new therapy games, measuring flow experience can indicate whether the game motivates one to train. The purpose of this study was to identify and systematically review current literature on flow experience assessed in patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, we critically appraised, compared and summarized the measurement properties of self-reported flow questionnaires used in neurorehabilitation setting.

Authors

  • Beatrice Ottiger
    Neurocenter, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Spitalstrasse 31, 6000, Luzern 16, Switzerland.
  • Erwin Van Wegen
    Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Katja Keller
    Neurocenter, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Spitalstrasse 31, 6000, Luzern 16, Switzerland.
  • Tobias Nef
    Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. tobias.nef@artorg.unibe.ch.
  • Thomas Nyffeler
    Neurocenter, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Spitalstrasse 31, 6000, Luzern 16, Switzerland.
  • Gert Kwakkel
    Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurorehabilitation, Reade Center of Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: g.kwakkel@vumc.nl.
  • Tim Vanbellingen
    Neurocenter, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Spitalstrasse 31, 6000, Luzern 16, Switzerland. tim.vanbellingen@luks.ch.