A bidirectional fabric-based soft robotic glove for hand function assistance in patients with chronic stroke.
Daniel Yuan-Lee Lim, Hwa-Sen Lai, Raye Chen-Hua Yeow
PMID 37735679WHAT IT FOUND
In eight chronic stroke patients, hand task scores were higher with the soft robotic glove module and thumb splint than unassisted in one session.
Grip strength did not change.
Key findings
01Eight chronic stroke patients completed hand tasks without and with the soft robotic glove module and thumb splint in one session.
02Mean hand opening scores were 8.13 unassisted and 18.38 assisted, and mean hand closing scores were 12.25 unassisted and 16.50 assisted, with a maximum of 21.
03Mean grip strength was 8.29 kg before the trial and 8.22 kg after the trial, and the change was not significant.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The glove module, control box, thumb splint, therapist instructions and unaffected hand use were given together, so the contribution of any single part cannot be separated. Only eight people took part, and each acted as their own control in one session, so the result may not apply to other patients or longer use. The tasks were done immediately, so this does not show lasting recovery or strength gain. Participants with higher baseline hand function showed little change, while participants with lower baseline hand function showed larger change, so benefit may depend on severity. The glove required a thumb splint and operation with the unaffected hand, and some participants could transfer objects with the unaffected hand, so it may not suit people without that ability. Some participants said the glove actuated too slowly. The study did not test long term durability or home use.
Declared interests
No author conflicts of interest are stated. The article is listed as supported by non U.S. government research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat this as evidence that the glove module and thumb splint improve hand function over time. It was a single session case series in eight participants, grip strength did not change, and the assisted condition also involved therapist guidance and unaffected hand control.