Recent research highlights that virtual gamified therapy can effectively supplement traditional orthopedic rehabilitation. However, standard gaming consoles used for virtual rehabilitation present several practical challenges in clinical settings. To address this, we introduce the RehabRelive Glove, a portable, wireless, and lightweight (110 grams) virtual hand rehabilitation system designed for use in both clinics and at home for physiotherapy. We present the detailed design of the system and test its accuracy and repeatability.
Our study evaluates the effectiveness of this system for patients recovering from post-traumatic hand injuries. We divided thirty patients into two groups: Group A received virtual rehabilitation using the RehabRelive Glove, while Group B underwent conventional physiotherapy. Each group participated in fifteen 25-minute therapy sessions over three weeks.
To measure effectiveness, we assessed the range of motion (ROM) in wrist and finger joints, as well as grip strength, every seven sessions. The results were promising: Group A, which used the virtual rehabilitation system, showed approximately 1.5 times greater improvement in wrist flexion and extension ROM compared to Group B, which received traditional physiotherapy. Although both groups showed progress in finger ROM and grip strength over time, there was no significant difference between them in these parameters.
Our findings suggest that the RehabRelive Glove is effective in accelerating ROM recovery in patients with hand injuries. This portable system not only matches the benefits of conventional therapy in improving movement but also offers the added convenience of being usable both in clinical settings and at home. This makes the RehabRelive Glove a valuable tool for enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and providing flexible treatment options for patients.