Device for Hand Motor Rehabilitation, Using Grip Force Sensing

Abstract

Current treatments for rehabilitation of prehensile movements or recovery of grip strength are generally subjective, which means that the results are based on the perception of the physiotherapist who performs the treatment. However, there may be many reasons for altering these results, from errors in the perception to a possible misdiagnosis. Reason for which it is necessary to keep a record of the progress of recovery of grip strength. These records even make it possible to determine if the treatment is successful or quantify how much the patient is improving. Due to these problems, a biomedical device has been developed to measure and store the grip force in hand motor rehabilitation. It starts with an input device that measures the grip strength and stores this information in a database. These data are presented on a small screen for the patient and on a computer for the physiotherapist. According to the force exerted in the grip handle, the system measures the changes in grip force. It displays them on a different screen from the patient perspective and the physiotherapist's perspective. The developed device facilitates the follow-up and monitoring of results of hand motor rehabilitation for the specialist. It also involves the patient in active participation, improving the success rate in the recovery process.