Design and Development of a Portable Exoskeleton for Hand Rehabilitation

IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2018 Dec;26(12):2376-2386. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2018.2878778. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Abstract

Improvement in hand function to promote functional recovery is one of the major goals of stroke rehabilitation. This paper introduces a newly developed exoskeleton for hand rehabilitation with a user-centered design concept, which integrates the requirements of practical use, mechanical structure, and control system. The paper also evaluated the function with two prototypes in a local hospital. Results of functional evaluation showed that significant improvements were found in ARAT (P = 0.014), WMFT (P = 0.020), and FMA_WH (P = 0.021). Increase in the mean values of FMA_SE was observed but without significant difference (P = 0.071). The improvement in ARAT score reflects the motor recovery in hand and finger functions. The increased FMA scores suggest there is a motor improvement in the whole upper limb, and especially in the hand after the training. The product met patients' requirements and has practical significance. It is portable, cost-effective, easy to use and supports multiple control modes to adapt to different rehabilitation phases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Algorithms
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Electromyography
  • Equipment Design
  • Exoskeleton Device* / economics
  • Female
  • Fingers
  • Hand Strength
  • Hand*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Recovery of Function
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / economics
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / instrumentation*
  • Upper Extremity