Hand Extension Robot Orthosis (HERO) Grip Glove: enabling independence amongst persons with severe hand impairments after stroke.

The study included only 11 stroke survivors selected by convenience, so it cannot show how most people with severe hand impairment after stroke would respond. It tested the glove during a single two-hour study session, so it cannot show long-term carryover into daily life. The glove was compared only with the same participants not wearing it, not with usual therapy, another device, or the earlier HERO Glove. Several participants needed forearm support, researcher support, or their unaffected hand to place objects, so the glove alone did not produce independent task performance for everyone. Donning required assistance and averaged 180 seconds, so it was not independent for many users. Some assessments were added after the first participants and were not used in the tables or statistical analyses, and some grip or pinch measurements were missing because of discomfort or equipment malfunction. The glove supplied 12.7 N grip and 11.0 N pinch on average, and the paper lists 15 N as the minimum grip specification. Pressure on fingers and force on fingers were not measured, and the glove could obstruct observation of joint hyperextension.

The supplied text reports funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, AGE-WELL, and IC-IMPACTS NCE. No other conflicts of interest are stated.

Do not conclude that the HERO Grip Glove restores lasting hand function or independence. The study tested a single session in a small group, many needed arm support or another hand to place objects, and it did not compare long-term recovery or usual therapy.