A Sensor Glove System for Rehabilitation in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Abstract

Paralysis with weakness on one side of the body is common after stroke, affecting over 50% of people and significantly impacting their quality of life. Research shows that high intensity, task-specific activities focused on the use of the affected limb are important for encouraging neuroplasticity. Unfortunately, due to the pressure on healthcare systems internationally, the length of stay at an inpatient rehabilitation facility is limited. Consequently, to maximise recovery it is critical that patients engage in their rehabilitation exercises both between sessions and long after the end of formal treatment. We describe here the design, development and test of an interactive sensor glove system capable of translating captured movements into hand gestures as a basis for augmentative control and rehabilitation function. The system described here is designed from an occupational therapy perspective where functional assessment and therapy requires an ecological validity and a context within activities of daily living. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.