Search Results (4)

The lack of deep engagement strategies that include cultural contextualization in the current rehabilitation game design can result in limited user motivation and low adherence in long-term rehabilitation. Integrating cultural semantics into interactive rehabilitation design offers new opportunities to enhance user engagement and emotional resonance in digital rehabilitation therapy, especially in a deeper way rather than visually. This study introduces a framework comprising a “Rehabilitation Mechanism–Interaction Design–Cultural Feature” triadic mapping model and a structured procedure. Following the framework, a hand function rehabilitation game is designed based on Chinese string puppetry, as well body rehabilitation games based on shadow puppetry and Tai Chi. The hand rehabilitation game utilizes Leap Motion for its gesture-based input and Unity3D for real-time visual feedback and task execution. Functional training gestures such as grasping, wrist rotation, and pinching are mapped to culturally meaningful puppet actions within the game. Through task-oriented engagement and narrative immersion, the design improves cognitive accessibility, emotional motivation, and sustained participation. Evaluations are conducted from rehabilitation professionals and target users. The results demonstrate that the system is promising in integrating motor function training with emotional engagement, validating the feasibility of the proposed triadic mapping framework in rehabilitation game design. This study provides a replicable design strategy for human–computer interaction (HCI) researchers working at the intersection of healthcare, cultural heritage, and interactive media. Full article

The preservation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) has transitioned from “static” and “living” approaches to a “digital ecosystem”, becoming a significant topic of anthropological research. This study, adopting an anthropological perspective, integrates sentiment semantic analysis with user identity classification to propose the Identity and Sentiment-Centered Framework for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ISC-ICH). Drawing on four types of ICH museums in Eastern Sichuan, China—Nanchong Langzhong Wang Shadow Puppetry Museum, Bazhong Pingchang Fanshan Jiaozi Base, Guang’an Eastern Sichuan Folk Museum, and Dazhou ICH Exhibition Hall—as case studies, this research analyzes the core factors contributing to the audience’s sense of local identity, including its composition, emotional needs, and cultural interaction. The findings reveal that: (1) “Explorers” and “Experience Seekers” constitute the primary audience groups, with their emotional evaluations closely tied to cultural depth and interactivity. (2) The digital transformation of ICH museums faces challenges such as resource limitations, festival-centric phenomena, the rise of “internet celebrity” trends, and technological homogenization. This paper introduces a culturally tailored corpus and a comprehensive evaluation framework, highlighting the dynamic interaction between ICH and its audience. Additionally, it proposes effective digital strategies to enhance the social and cultural identity of ICH museums in peripheral regions. Full article

Performing arts used as a method of spreading health information dates back to the origins of storytelling. However, interventions in developing, non-Western countries typically utilize Western entertainment forms. This qualitative investigation assesses responses to an intervention designed around traditional Javanese shadow puppetry (wayang kulit). Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth responses from a sample (N = 12) of villagers. Responses analyzed both cross-case and within-case, focused on perceptions of the music and storyline, responses to the intervention, and the perceived appropriateness of wayang kulit for disseminating a health message. Wayang kulit was considered to be interesting and easy to remember, but concerns remained regarding the reliability of information provided through the drama. The fusion of traditional and modern music and story elements were perceived positively. Some participants were inspired to improve their hygiene practices, although the lack of motivation, or belief that they were unable to change was noted. The performance was generally received positively in terms of the nature of the intervention, the fusion of traditional and Western music and story elements, as well as the use of wayang kulit to spread health information. The study provides guidance for modifications to the production, prior to scaling up. Full article

‘Rama and the Worm’ is a shadow puppet production targeting neglected diseases in Central Java. It is an entertainment-based intervention study to promote health by reducing the impact of parasitic diseases such as soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The study uses traditional Javanese shadow puppetry (wayang kulit) as a vehicle in village communities to disseminate health messages and promote behaviour change to prevent diseases caused, primarily, by inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. The health education messages contained in the play, although using traditional characters and themes, required the creation of a completely new narrative script, using characters and plot lines familiar to the wayang kulit repertoire, but placing them in new situations that relate specifically to health promotion objectives. The intervention was piloted in a village in Central Java, Indonesia using a pre/post design with both qualitative and quantitative analysis. A total of 96 male and female villagers, aged between 7 and 87 years, provided both baseline and follow up data. Participant knowledge and behaviours related to gastrointestinal and helminth-related disease were assessed before and after the intervention through a questionnaire administered by interview. Results revealed statistically significant improvements in both knowledge (48.6% pre-intervention score vs. 62.8% post-intervention score, p < 0.001) and behaviour (77.4% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.004) related to gastrointestinal and helminth disease. Findings of the study indicate the wayang kulit performance is an effective health education tool. The results provide proof of concept with scaling up the next step forward. The wayang kulit production provides a significant additional component for an integrated, comprehensive approach to reduction and elimination of STH infection. Full article