A Novel Device for Grasping Assessment during Functional Tasks: Preliminary Results

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Human Motor Control
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Assessing grasping quality and upper limb kinematics is crucial for understanding motor development and rehabilitation.
• Existing methods may lack portability or quantitative analysis capabilities for fine motor skills.
• A novel, instrumented device is needed to objectively evaluate grasping and manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel device for analyzing grasping quality and upper limb motion.
• To evaluate the device's effectiveness in a pilot study with typically developing children.
• To demonstrate the device's potential for quantitative assessment of functional tasks.

Main Methods:

• A portable, instrumented device emulating a glass, equipped with an optical system (camera, convex mirror) and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
• Pilot study involving six groups of typically developing children (5-10 years old).
• Children performed a simulated drinking task (grasp, lift, transport, release) three times each.

Main Results:

• The device successfully acquired grasping hand posture images and upper limb motion data (acceleration, orientation, angular velocities).
• Quantitative analysis of grasping quality and motion patterns was demonstrated.
• The device's portability, small size, and ability to evaluate grasping form were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The novel instrumented device provides a portable and quantitative method for assessing grasping quality and upper limb kinematics.
• Results show potential for analyzing motor development and the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions.
• The device facilitates objective evaluation of reach-to-grasping movements and hand posture.