Hand Spring Operated Movement Enhancer (HandSOME): A Portable, Passive Hand Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation

Abstract

Abstract-Stroke patients often have flexor hypertonia and finger extensor weakness, which makes it difficult to open their affected hand for functional grasp. Because of this impairment, hand rehabilitation after stroke is essential for restoring functional independent lifestyles. The goal of this study is to develop a passive, lightweight, wearable device to assist with hand function during performance of activities of daily living. The device, Hand Spring Operated Movement Enhancer (HandSOME), assists with opening the patient's hand using a series of elastic cords that apply extension torques to the finger joints and compensates for the flexor hypertonia. Device design and calibration are described as well as functional and usability testing with stroke subjects with a wide range of hand impairments. In initial testing with eight stroke subjects with finger flexor hypertonia, use of the HandSOME significantly increased range of motion and functional ability . There was some decrease in grip strength with the HandSOME device at the subject's ideal setting, however this was not statistically significant and did not seem to have a significant effect on function. Overall HandSOME shows promise as a training tool to facilitate repetitive task practice for improving hand function in stroke patients. HandSOME can be used as part of a home-based therapy program, or as an orthotic for replacing lost function.

Hand exoskeleton for rehabilitation therapies with integrated optical force sensor

“…[3][4][5] This is a stiff architecture that requires a proper alignment between kinematic centers of the linkage and human joints, but allows a good control of the hand pose. Due to the flexibility of the design, with the correct sizing, these Biomedical Neuroengineering Group, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Elche, Spain mechanisms can achieve complex movement patterns with simple actuators.…”

Design and Development of a Bilateral Therapeutic Hand Device for Stroke Rehabilitation

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Effect of Robot-Assisted Hand Rehabilitation on Hand Function in Chronic Stroke Patients

“…본 연구에 사용된 접근법은 기존 연구에서 추천되 었던 능동보조운동을 포함시켰으며 [38][39][40][41] , 연구 대상자의 특 성상 강직의 완화가 요구되었고, 지속적인 손의 수동 신전 이 능동적 관절가동범위를 증가시킨다는 기존 연구를 바탕 으로 치료 초기에 수동운동을 조합하여 시행하였다 [42] . [43] . 다른 로봇보조치료 연구에서는 손목 관절의 변화를 측 정한 경우가 있었으며, 본 연구와 동일한 로봇을 사용한 연 구에서는 손가락 관절가동범위에 대해서는 보고하고 있지 않았다 [7,41] .…”