Abstract
Assistive devices (ADs) are products intended to overcome the difficulties produced by the reduction in mobility and grip strength entailed by ageing and different pathologies. Nevertheless, there is little information about the effect that the use of these devices produces on hand kinematics. Thus, the aim of this work is to quantify this effect through the comparison of kinematic parameters (mean posture, ROM, median velocity and peak velocity) while performing activities of daily living (ADL) using normal products and ADs. Twelve healthy right-handed subjects performed 11 ADL with normal products and with 17 ADs wearing an instrumented glove on their right hand, 16 joint angles being recorded. ADs significantly affected hand kinematics, although the joints affected differed according to the AD. Furthermore, some pattern effects were identified depending on the characteristics of the handle of the ADs, namely, handle thickening, addition of a handle to products that initially did not have one, extension of existing handles or addition of handles to apply higher torques. An overview of the effects of these design characteristics on hand kinematics is presented as a basis for the selection of the most suitable AD depending on the patient’s impairments.
Highlights
Ageing and different pathologies reduce hand mobility and grip strength, affecting the normal performance of activities of daily living (ADL) (Brand & Hollister, 1999) and limiting personal independence
Tables of mean values and standard deviation of mean postures and range of motion (ROM) when performed with normal products and assistive devices (ADs) are presented as Supplemental Files
Significant differences in posture and ROM are found in all the ADs analyzed, except for ROM of the bottle opener A2 (T2) and mean posture and ROM of the zip adapter A2 (T11)
Summary
Ageing and different pathologies reduce hand mobility and grip strength, affecting the normal performance of activities of daily living (ADL) (Brand & Hollister, 1999) and limiting personal independence. To overcome these difficulties, there are different commercially available assistive devices (ADs). While the HS ADs aim to increase the level of functioning within a health domain which pertains to an individual’s body functions and body structures (e.g., a corneal implant), the HRs ADs are focused on health domains that pertain to an individual’s activities and participation (e.g., screen magnifiers).
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