A Multi-functional Rehabilitation Device to Assist Forearm/Wrist and Grasp Therapies

—We present a novel physical rehabilitation device for forearm/wrist and grasp therapy of a neurologically injured human arm and hand. Emphasizing the importance of coordinated movements of the wrist and the hand while performing activities of daily living (ADL) tasks, the device possesses 3 DoF and is designed to assist abduction/adduction and palmar/dorsal flexion of the wrist or pronation/supination of the forearm, concurrently with grasping and releasing movements of the hand. Thanks to its modular, interchangeable end-effectors, the device supports ADL exercises, such as brushing and door opening. It can also be used as a practical measurement device, to characterize the range of motion and the isometric strength of the injured forearm/wrist and hand throughout a therapy programme. Usability studies have been conducted and the efficacy of device to deliver complex wrist and hand therapies have been demonstrated. The accuracy of the measurements provided with the device has als...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2010
• Where: HAPTICS
• Authors: Ismail Hakan Ertas, Volkan Patoglu
• Keywords: Device Supports Adl, HAPTICS 2010, Human Computer Interaction, Physical Rehabilitation Device, Wrist