A Home-Based Functional Hand-Extremity Assessment System for Stroke Rehabilitation

This paper presents a novel hand-grip system for evaluation and rehabilitation of individuals with stroke. This system contains a pair of hand dynamometers, which are sensors for the input of grip force, and LabVIEW VI software to translate the grip force into meaningful data. The hand-grip system requires the subjects to move a small ball on a computer screen toward a target, using the hand grip sensor to control the movement of the ball. It goes far beyond measuring maximum grip strength, a common clinical assessment, to adapt grip force and coordinate hands to perform daily functional activities. This system also provides advancement in home-rehabilitation options to improve the hand-grip control of individuals with stroke.