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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Grasping Abilities for Hemiplegic Patients with Flexible Robotic Limbs
Published on: October 27, 2023
A Game-Based Mechatronic Device for Digital Rehabilitation of Hand Function After a Stroke: Design, Prototyping, and
Anuprita Kanitkar1, Nariman Sepehri2, Ariel Lezen2
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Background:
This paper presents an easy-to-use, affordable robotic manipulandum device (RMD) equipped with smart monitoring and assistive technologies to engage in game-based exercise and repetitive task practice. The RMD has been designed to enhance a wide range of fine motor manual dexterity skills, including thumb, finger, and wrist movements. By focusing on finger and hand functions, it extends its utility beyond basic reaching or object transfer movements. Various interchangeable 3D-printed therapy handles of different shapes and sizes can be easily attached to the RMD drive shaft. These handle movements can be used to engage with numerous affordable, commercially available computer games, allowing patients to practice tasks that involve varying movement amplitudes, speeds, precision, and cognitive challenges. Additionally, the device is capable of automatically recording and storing the patient's real-time performance data on any given computer, integrating assessment into treatment.
Objective:
A pilot study was conducted with 5 patients with stroke to examine the feasibility and benefits of a 6-week game-based exercise program using the proposed device.
Methods:
A feasibility study was conducted with 5 participants. Data were collected using the computer game-based upper extremity assessment of manual dexterity and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) before and after the intervention lasting 6 weeks.
Results:
The pilot study demonstrated that clients' expectations related to manual dexterity were met. The average improvement in the functional ability score of the WMFT was 14 (SD 3) points, with all participants exceeding the minimal clinically important difference. The average reduction in total time was 30 (SD 14) seconds, with 4 of 5 participants surpassing the minimal clinically important difference. For the computer game-based upper extremity assessment, the average improvement in success rate was 23% (SD 12%), and the average decrease in response time was 105 (SD 44) milliseconds.
Conclusions:
Findings revealed acceptable, engaging, game-based, and task-oriented training with a high level of compliance. Substantial improvements from pre- to postintervention were observed using the WMFT and assessments of manual dexterity.
