Research and Development of 3D-Printed Assistive Hand Device for Chronic Stroke

• Main Authors: Tusng-Yi Huang, 黃宗毅
• Other Authors: Chen-Sheng Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/11615711546895959018

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 物理治療暨輔助科技學系 === 105 === Background: Chronic stroke patients often have complaints about hand dysfunction due to flexor hypertonia and extensor weakness, which makes it difficult to open their affected hand for functional grasp. Past studies reported individual with stroke would reduce the independence. Hand rehabilitation after stroke is essential for restoring functional independence. Constraint-induced movement therapy has showed to be a successful treatment for patients who have acquired certain level of wrist and finger extension. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of task-oriented approach incorporating 3D-printed dynamic hand device by evaluating hand functional performance and motivation during home program. Methods: In this study, 10 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=5) or the control group (n=5). The experimental group engaged task-oriented approach with dynamic hand device while the control group received only task-oriented approach. Both groups participated in 30-minute on-site treatment twice a week and were prescribed with home program 5 days a week for 4 weeks. During 2-week follow-up phase, all participants engaged in home program without following closely by therapist. Outcome measurements include palmar pinch force (PPF), lateral pinch force (LPF), grip force (GF), Box and Blocks Test (BBT) and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA). Results: The results of study revealed the improvement of PPF in experimental group but not in control group. Meanwhile, improvement in LPF, GF, BBT, and FMA can be found in both groups. During follow-up phase, the mean time of home program in experimental group was 56.8 minutes per day but only 26.4 minutes in control group. This suggested significant enhanced motivation of executing home-based training. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the 3D-printed dynamic hand device is an effective therapeutic assistive device to improve pinch force, grasp force, dexterity, function of upper extremity and facilitate motivation during home program in individuals with chronic stroke.