Verification of Usefulness of Testing/Training Device of Adjustability for Grasping Force on Hemiplegic Patients after Stroke

Abstract

Adjustability for grasping force (AGF), which is one of motor function of fingers, is an ability to grasp an object with appropriate force. Since a person with a disable hand can not adjust grasping force, he/she grasps an object with extra force or can not grasp it due to lack of grasping force. In our previous study, we developed a training and testing device of the AGF, which is called iWakka. In this paper the usefulness of training and testing with iWakka was confirmed by applying CI+i therapy to ten hemiplegic patients after stroke. The AGF of all patients was improved after training with CI+i therapy. CI+i therapy was developed by the fourth and fifth authors by adding the training task with iWakka to CI (Constraint Induced Movement) therapy.