Factors affecting the usability of an assistive soft robotic glove after stroke or multiple sclerosis

Abstract

To explore factors impacting on the usability of an assistive soft robotic glove in the home setting after stroke or multiple sclerosis. Twenty participants living with the effects of stroke or multiple sclerosis used the assistive glove in the home for 6 weeks. Perceived usability was reported in weekly telephone interviews and one semistructured interview. Functioning was clinically assessed. Perceived beneficial effects were a sustained and strong grip. Reported disadvantages were a lack of assistance in opening the hand, lack of wrist support, and the glove not being usable for fine hand use. The glove was found to be useful mainly by participants with moderate limitations in hand activity and an overall level of functioning that allowed participation in everyday life activities. This study identified a subgroup of participants, who found the glove useful in activities requiring a strong and prolonged grip but not for fine hand use, and highlights aspects for consideration in the further development of soft hand robotics for sustained use in a larger population living with a central nervous system lesion. Objective: To explore the usability and effects of an assistive soft robotic glove in the home setting after stroke or multiple sclerosis. Design: A mixed methods design. Methods: Participants with stroke (n = 10) or multiple sclerosis (n = 10) were clinically assessed, and instructed to use the glove in activities of daily living for 6 weeks. They reported their experience of using the glove via weekly telephone interviews and one semi-structured interview. Results: The soft robotic glove was used by participants in a wide variety of activities of daily living. Perceived beneficial effects while using the glove were a sustained and a strong grip. Disadvantages of using the glove were a lack of assistance in hand opening function and the glove not being usable for fine hand use. The glove was found to be useful by two-thirds of participants who completed the study, mainly by participants with moderate limitations in hand activity and an overall level of functioning that allowed participation in everyday life activities. Conclusion: This study identified a subgroup of participants, who found the glove useful in activities requiring a strong and prolonged grip but not fine hand use, and highlights aspects for consideration in the further development of soft hand robotics for sustained use in a larger population living with a central nervous system lesion.

Effectiveness of a Soft Robotic Glove to Assist Hand Function in Stroke Patients: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

“…In a study of using a Soft Extra Muscle (SEM) Glove (Robotic SEM™ Technology, Sweden) in ten chronic stroke patients with impaired grasp, grip, and pinch with normal or mild sensory impairments and independence in ADL, median BBT scores 20 blocks and median ARAT scores 33.5 points were demonstrated while using the glove [ 22 ]. The study reported only median scores on the BBT and the ARAT while using the SEM Glove and did not report severity of hand impairment or baseline characteristics on the BBT and the ARAT.…”

“…Stroke patients with severe hand impairment gained enhanced grip strength while using a soft robotic glove [ 15 ]. Stroke and multiple sclerosis patients noticed tight and sustained gripping while using a soft robotic glove [ 22 ].…”

Acceptance of Assistive Technology by Users with Motor Disabilities Due to Spinal Cord or Acquired Brain Injuries: A Systematic Review

“…Overall, the quality assessment score of the reviewed papers corresponded to a median score of 0.50 (averaged score, 0.51 and standard deviation = 0.13) [19]. The min score was 0.35 [20], and the max score was 0.8 [21,22]. The papers scoring over the median were 56% of the total [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] (See Table 1).…”

“…The min score was 0.35 [20], and the max score was 0.8 [21,22]. The papers scoring over the median were 56% of the total [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] (See Table 1).…”

Modeling and Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid-Driven Compliant Hand Exoskeleton Based on Human-Machine Coupling Model

“…However, insufficient rehabilitation therapists and long recovery periods make it difficult to provide intense rehabilitation. To improve the efficiency of rehabilitation and relieve the workload of therapists, a series of effective hand exoskeletons have been verified and developed to offer rehabilitation training and assist ADL [5][6][7].…”