The study is to investigate the effect of a soft robotic glove approach providing continuous passive motion of fingers (flexion and extension) on degenerative arthritis patients. The approach may help reduce pain, maintain mobility and flexibility and to improve hand function.
The aim is to investigate the effect of soft robotic gloves in providing continuous passive motion of the fingers (finger flexion and extension) of degenerative arthritis patients, for the purpose of providing pain relief and alleviating stiffness at the finger joints. Specifically, we intend to 1) observe the changes in range of motion of the fingers using the Total Active Motion (TAM) measure; 2) observe the changes in grip strength and pinch strength; and 3) record changes in the patients' perception of performance in activities of daily living using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The hypothesis is that a soft robotics approach in providing continuous passive motion of the finger joints of degenerative arthritis patients can reduce pain, maintain mobility and flexibility of the joints, and to improve hand function. The soft robotics approach and the standard hand therapy is better than the standard hand therapy alone. The proposed soft robotic glove is capable of providing continuous passive motion (flexion and extension) of the fingers, and in addition, it is also designed to be portable and easy to operate, with minimal supervision. It is aimed at the home therapy of degenerative arthritis patients. In this study, by using the soft robotic glove and in observing changes in finger range of motion, grip and pinch strength, as well as perception of performance in daily activities. This is important in establishing this device as a viable means to ultimately slow down the progression of degenerative arthritis, and to significantly improve the patients' abilities in carrying out activities of daily living, which had been impaired by degenerative arthritis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
8
Patients receive standard care
This group will receive standard care and soft robotic therapy (continuous passive motion device developed by National University of Singapore).
National University Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Change in fingers' Total Active Motion
Measure hand range of motion in which the sum of the extension at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints is subtracted from the total achievable flexion of the same joints. Unit: Degree
Time frame: Week 1 baseline assessment and Week 11 post intervention assessment
Change in grip and pinch strength
Measure hand strength. Unit: g/kg
Time frame: Week 1 baseline assessment and Week 11 post intervention assessment
Change in patient's Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
Identify issues of personal importance to the patient and to detect changes in a patient's self-perception of occupational performance over time.
Time frame: Week 1 baseline assessment and Week 11 post intervention assessment.
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