Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 51-4inkOmslag | Page 64
J Rehabil Med 2019; 51: 298–306
ORIGINAL REPORT
QUANTIFYING UPPER EXTREMITY PERFORMANCE WITH AND WITHOUT
ASSISTANCE OF A SOFT-ROBOTIC GLOVE IN ELDERLY PATIENTS: A KINEMATIC
ANALYSIS
Anne VAN OMMEREN, MSc 1,2 *, Bob RADDER, MSc 1,2 *, Anke KOTTINK, PhD 1,3 , Jaap BUURKE, PhD, PT
PRANGE-LASONDER, PhD 1,2 and Johan RIETMAN, PhD, MD 1,2
From the 1 Roessingh Research and Development, 2 Department of Biomechanical Engineering, and 3 Department of Biomedical Signals
and Systems, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
*These authors contributed equally to this article.
Objective: To explore the direct influence of a soft-
robotic glove on movement duration and movement
execution in elderly people with decreased hand
function during a reach-and-grasp task.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Patients: Eight subjects, aged 55+ years, with de-
creased hand function.
Methods: The direct effect of the glove was explored
using kinematic analysis during a reach-and-grasp
task with a light (100 g) and heavy (1,000/2,500 g)
cylindrical object, performed with and without the
soft-robotic glove.
Results: There was no difference in total movement
time between performance with and without the glo-
ve. With the glove, the relative time needed to trans-
port the heavy object was shorter, while the relative
time needed to grasp the heavy object was longer.
In addition, transporting light objects involved a lo-
wer peak velocity and larger elbow extension, and
grasping the object involved a larger hand opening
compared with without glove.
Conclusion: As expected, no positive influence of the
soft-robotic glove was found on total movement du-
ration in elderly subjects. The influence of the glove
on movement execution varied with movement pha-
se. The positive and negative effects found may be
due to a perceived confidence while carrying hea-
vy objects with the glove, or compensation for loss
of sensation, respectively. This information can be
used to improve the glove design.
Key words: soft-robotic glove; assistive technology; elderly;
hand; movement analysis; wearable devices; activities of
daily living; upper extremity.
Accepted Feb 4, 2019; Epub ahead of print Feb 15, 2019
J Rehabil Med 2019; 51: 298–306
Correspondence address: Anne van Ommeren, Roessingh Research
and Development, Roessinghsbleekweg 33b, PO Box 310, NL-7500 AH
Enschede, The Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]
T
, Gerdienke
1,3
he function of the ageing hand decreases as
result of loss of muscle mass (i.e. sarcopaenia)
(1), rheumatoid arthritis or age-related diseases (2,
3). Symptoms of a decrease in hand function in the
elderly population often include loss of grip/pinch
strength, joint stiffness, decreased range of motion and
LAY ABSTRACT
The function of the ageing hand decreases as result of
loss of muscle mass or age-related diseases, such as
osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. This loss of func
tion results in limitations in performing activities of dai-
ly living, such as carrying heavy objects, drinking and
eating. A wearable soft-robot glove (the ironHand) has
been developed to support grip strength during daily
life. This study assessed the effect of the ironHand on
movement execution in 8 elderly people with decreased
hand function due to age-related diseases. The influence
of the glove on movement execution in elderly subjects
varied with movement phase. Grasping of a heavy ob-
ject took relatively longer, while its transport phase was
relatively shorter, with the glove, compared with without
the glove. These results provide insight into how a soft-
robotic glove influences movement, both in a positive
and a negative sense. This information could be used
to improve the design of wearable robots for the hand.
increased fatigue or pain (4–7). This loss of function
results in limitations in performing activities of daily
living (ADL), such as carrying heavy objects (4, 8, 9).
An effective approach to improving hand function
in daily life is exercise training. Exercise training for
older adults with reduced hand strength should consist
of components that contain progressive resistance and
functional exercise (10). Another approach to impro-
ving functional independence is the use of assistive
devices (11), especially when exercise treatment does
not solve all physical problems and people are left
with, or experience, diminished hand function. These
assistive devices are available in different shapes and
sizes, ranging from simple aids (e.g. a jar opener) that
support a specific task, to technological innovations
that allow more functionality in daily life. Most of these
robotic assistive devices consist of complex, bulky and
expensive equipment, while often substituting upper
limb movement of the user by robotic action (12).
Wearable assistive devices are focused less on
substituting the user and more on assisting use of the
hand, where needed, during ADL. An example is the
soft-robotic ironHand glove, developed to support grip
strength during ADL (13). The soft-robotic ironHand
glove has been evaluated regarding feasibility (in terms
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. www.medicaljournals.se/jrm
doi: 10.2340/16501977-2535
Journal Compilation © 2019 Foundation of Rehabilitation Information. ISSN 1650-1977