Applicability of the GripAble Therapy Robot to Patients After Hand Injuries
At a glance
- Project leader : Prof. Dr. Verena Klamroth-Marganska
- Project team : Vera Beckmann-Fries, Sarah Ewald Chevalley
- Project status : completed
- Funding partner : Foundation (Stiftung für Ergotherapie Zürich), Public sector (excl. federal government) (Kantonsspital Winterthur KSW), Other (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Handrehabilitation SGHR)
- Contact person : Verena Klamroth-Marganska
Description
Hand injuries account for a significant number of injury-related
treatments in the emergency room and cause high costs through
medical care (medical treatment and therapy) and absenteeism. Since
the recovery of hand function has an influence on the quality of
life, and the duration of illness and incapacity to work and is of
socio-economic importance, rehabilitation is usually performed by
therapists. Additionally, home training is an imprtant part of
therapeutic treatment and has been shown to improve hand function
and grip.
In the field of neurology, the use of robots has successfully
expanded the current methods of therapy. Therapy with the devices
leads to the improvement of hand function and abilities in the
activities of daily life. Despite the good results in neurology,
there are hardly any scientific studies on the use of robots in
orthopaedics and hand rehabilitation.
We are convinced that the GripAble robot can improve and
meaningfully supplement the therapy process of patients after hand
injuries in home training. It is therefore our goal to test the
acceptance, applicability and user-friendliness of the GripAble in
patients with hand injuries.
GripAble is a handle similar to a hand dynamometer and enables
training of different movements and strength building. The device
is equipped with force and movement sensors and coupled with a
tablet. Through hand movements and force adjustment, the user can
control games on the tablet designed for different age groups and
levels. In order to individualize the therapy and to optimally
challenge and motivate the user, the level of the games
automatically adapts to the user's performance.
The aim of the study is to determine the applicability, acceptance
and user-friendliness of GripAble for patients suffering from hand
diseases or injuries.