A SIMPLE NONPOWERED HAND REHABILITATION DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING THE INDIVIDUAL FINGER LOAD: A PILOT STUDY

Hemiplegia, which is a frequent sequela of stroke, significantly impairs patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living. While the recovery rate of lower limb motor function through rehabilitation exercise is high, the recovery rate of hand function is relatively low. This study developed a nonpowered hand rehabilitation device for hand rehabilitation exercises of hemiplegic patients who can exercise on their own. The structure of the frame was minimized and 3D printed for personal customization. A prototype of a nonpowered hand rehabilitation device with a lightweight and simple structure was produced by using a spring instead of a motor as a power source. In addition, the effect of the elastic modulus (EM) of the spring connected to the finger on the grasping motion was examined for each finger. By assessing the EM-dependent changes in the force exerted by each individual finger and the adjacent digits, this study established the feasibility of using this device for rehabilitation exercises tailored to specific fingers or movements. Although additional research is needed on hemiplegic patients, this device is expected to increase the efficiency of hand rehabilitation exercises for early stroke patients due to its lightweight and simple structure.