Low-cost flexible sensor glove as a rehabilitation and diagnostic tool

Abstract

Hand therapy for patients suffering with hand impairment, caused by physical injury or neurological disorders is often inaccessible to patients that live far away from local clinics. Apart from accessibility, developing countries face additional issues such as high patient referral rates and time limitations. Therefore, it is imperative that there are accessible and low-cost means for hand rehabilitation and impairment diagnosis. A low-cost flexible sensor was developed to measure the range of motion of the fingers for the application of rehabilitation in developing countries. Flexible sensors were attached to the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers and the interphalangeal (IP) joint of the thumb. The gloves were validated through testing each joint at 30, 45 and 60_ degrees. Fluctuations had a maximum variation of +/-5°. The glove measured the range of motion in 50 healthy subjects performing daily activities that were derived from the ICF(Inter- national Classication of Functioning, Disability and Health) guide. The testing was split into dynamic (10 participants) and static (40 participants) phases. There were no criteria for subject participation apart from the fit of the gloves. The gloves proved capable of measuring the range of motion of the finger joints. The IP join of the thumb had the most variation throughout the dynamic tests. The statictests resulted in a ROM of 39.88_-69.42_, 18.92_- 78.1_ and 13.42_-60.15_ for the MCP, PIP and IP joints, respectively. The data collected provided the range of motion required for an individual to perform activities of daily living and thus validating the gloves use as a_finger motion measurement tool. Therefore, the glove can be applied to monitoring patient recovery, hand impairment diagnosis and providing rehabilitation therapy.