|
|
|
|
FAQ
Who is the Hand of Hope suitable for?
The patient’s hand is exceptionally large/small, can he/she wear Hand of Hope?
Can the patient use Hand of Hope if he/she has spasticity?
What about the shoulder and arm?
Does this system use electrical stimulation?
Who is not a candidate for Hand of Hope?
What is sEMG?
sEMG is a non-invasive technique for recording the electrical signals during muscle activation. In the Hand of Hope the EMG signals are used as representation of the voluntary movement from the patient, used as feedback to execute games while hand brace is kept on moving.
Who is the Hand of Hope suitable for?
- Decreased muscular activity after Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Hand / Finger injury
- Difficulty to self-initiate, control or maintain voluntary muscle movement
- Impaired coordination of voluntary movement of the upper limb
The patient’s hand is exceptionally large/small, can he/she wear the Hand of Hope?
There are different sizes for Hand of Hope; Small-to-Medium and Large. Internal platforms are chosen according to hand width.
Internal Platform Range
Small: 88-100 mm
Medium: 100-115 mm
Large: 115-130 mm
Can the patient use the Hand of Hope if he/she has spasticity?
It depends on the spasticity level, a patient with moderate spasticity can still use the system. Extensor or flexor digitorum that is greater than 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spastic hypertonia should not use the Hand of Hope.
What about the shoulder and arm?
According to research, the performance of the shoulder and elbow can also be improved after using the Hand of Hope. The research paper referring to this can be found in our archive. If there is a shoulder subluxation the clinician needs to be advised.
Does this system use electrical stimulation?
No, the system only collects muscle signals using non-invasive EMG sensors placed on the arm of the patient.
Who is not suitable to use the Hand of Hope?
Patient should not use Hand of Hope if he/she has any of the following conditions:
- Rigid contracture of the fingers
- The finger cannot withstand a passive motion from fully extended position to 48˚ at MCP and 57˚ at PIP joints
- Extensor or flexor spasticity that is greater than 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spastic hypertonia
- Open wound
- Any hand or forearm deformity
- Patient is not willing to use the HOH therapy system
- A patient with extensor or flexor digitorum that is greater than 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spastic hypertonia.
If patient encounters any of the following conditions, he/she should stop using the Hand of Hope immediately:
- Frequent sudden, unusual and uncontrolled voluntary movement of the hand
- Sudden pain in joints of the fingers and in the region attached to the Hand Brace
- Rash, swelling, or skin breakdown in the region in contact with any part of the device
- Any discomfort by patient during either the still or moving state
- Patient is not willing to continue the training
