Design and Development of a Therapeutic Device for Hand Rehabilitation

Abstract

Motor control deals with the interaction of nervous system with other parts of the body and the environment for the production of purposeful, coordinated movements. It is a systematic regulation of movement functions that can be attributed to reflex and to decision. If the interaction is weakened or broken down, a number of neural disorders may occur such as apraxias, tremors, neurological and neuromuscular stokes etc. Thus to handle such conditions, active and passive devices may be used to perform different exercises for rehabilitation to regain the lost or weak control and build up strength, mobility and motor coordination. In rehabilitation, active devices are controlled devices that provide stability, maintain posture and keep alignment of the joints for restoring proper biomechanics and improving muscle function. This particular device allows the wrist and fingers to complete the motion in particular directions according to their degree of freedom and helps the patient to perform the activities of daily life (ADL). The motions include flexion/extension, adduction/abduction and rotation.