Development and Usability Testing of a Finger Grip Enhancer for the Elderly

Robotics

Adi Saptari¹  Chee Chen Hue²  Yu Jin Ng³  Dominic Wen How Tan⁴  Ervina Efzan Mhd Noor⁴  Poh Kiat Ng⁴ 

[1] Department of Industrial Engineering, President University, Jababeka Education Park, Jl. Ki Hajar Dewantara, RT.2/RW.4, Mekarmukti, North Cikarang, Bekasi 17530, Indonesia;Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Jln Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia;Department of Social Science and Humanities, Putrajaya Campus, College of Energy Economics and Social Sciences, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, Kajang 43000, Malaysia;Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama, Bukit Beruang, Melaka 75450, Malaysia;

关键词: finger grip;    elderly;    ergonomics;    pinch assistant;    pinch force;    usability;   

DOI  :  10.3390/robotics11010005

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

As people age, their finger function deteriorates due to muscle, nerve, and brain degeneration. While exercises might delay this deterioration, an invention that enhances elderly people’s pinching abilities is essential. This study aims to design and develop a finger grip enhancer that facilitates the day-to-day pinching activities of elderly people. This research is an extension of a previous study that conceptualised a finger grip enhancer. The device facilitates finger flexion on the thumb and index finger, and weighs 520 g, allowing for improved portability and sufficient force exertion (13.9 N) for day-to-day pinching. To test for usability, eleven subjects aged 65 years and above performed a pinch-lift-hold test on various household objects. The pinch force before and after utilising the device was measured. Using Minitab 18, the statistical significance of using this device was analysed with a paired-samples t-test. With this device, the elderly people’s pinching abilities significantly improved in both pinch force and pinch force steadiness (p < 0.05). The proposed device has the potential to enhance elderly people’s quality of life by supporting a firm pinch in the handling of everyday objects. This research has applicational value in developing exoskeleton devices for patients who require rehabilitation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown