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Lets Get The Fingers Moving - Finger Rehabilitation Device for Post-stroke Patient

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24.09.2008

A simple device for assisting in the therapy to regain the range of motion as well as strengthening the motor skills that control the fingers movement are being developed in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

This will offer an alternative rehabilitation activity for post-stroke patients with partial paralysis of one side of the body.

Researchers: S. Mohamaddan, M.S. Osman, N.H.N. Mohamed, A.A. Alias

The importance of human fingers in a human body needs no emphasis; major daily functions are performed using them. Life, therefore, is greatly affected when certain circumstances such as injuries, disabilities, diseases, and deformation involved finger control. One such example is stroke. Stroke is the third largest cause of death in Malaysia. There are about 17,909 stroke victims reported in 2005 and the figure is expected to exceed 25,000 per year by 2020.

When life is spared, post-stroke patients with upper-extremity hemiparesis (partial paralysis of one side of the body) will experience paralysis on the upper limb especially on the hand and forearm. This disability will definitely affect the patient daily routine. This requires rehabilitation activity which involved therapy to regain the range of motion as well as strengthening the motor skill for controlling the fingers movement.

In many cases, the number of therapist for the rehabilitation exercise is not sufficient and the therapy can be difficult to conduct. To counter these problems, the research group at UNIMAS is looking at a grasp mechanism assistant device which would assist in finger rehabilitation exercise for post-stroke patient, at anywhere, anytime. The device, through its motor-support mechanical mechanism, will allow the affected fingers to perform the extension and flexion movement needed in the rehabilitation activity.

A prototype has been developed and it is hope that the project can help the community involved and offer an alternative rehabilitation activity for post-stroke patients.


UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK (UNIMAS)

UNIMAS was established in 1992. The University's mission is to generate, disseminate and apply knowledge strategically and innovatively to enhance the quality of the nation’s culture and prosperity of its people.

The knowledge creation initiatives at UNIMAS are premised partly upon the wealth of natural resources and diverse socio-cultural make up of the State of Sarawak. While UNIMAS is strong in biodiversity studies, this and most of other research activities at this university are also firmly based on contemporary technologies. For example, the strength in computer science and IT, together with expertise in molecular biology and biotechnology have effectively synergized several collaborative research, both locally and internationally, related to the conservation of the natural resources of the State. In medicine and health, the cultural and social uniqueness of Sarawak communities offers numerous opportunities to study the interactions between environmental factors and socio-cultural practices with various pathogens; and to look into other important issues related to community health.

UNIMAS commitment to research has already been recognized by the stakeholders and partners in industry through provision of endowments for the establishment of eight research chairs; these include the Tun Zaidi Chair for Medicinal Chemistry, the Tun Openg Chair for Sago Technology, the Shell Chair for Environmental Studies, and the Sapura Chair for ICT.

FACULTIES, CENTRES & RESEARCH INSTITUTES AT UNIMAS

Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
Faculty of Cognitive Sciences & Human Development
Faculty of Social Science
Faculty of Resource Science & Technology
Faculty of Applied & Creative Arts
Faculty of Computer Sc. & Information Technology
Faculty of Economics & Business
Institute of Biodiversity & Environ. Conservation
Institute of Health and Community Medicine
Institute of East Asian Studies
Centre for Student Development
Centre for Graduate Studies
Centre for Academic Information Services
Centre for Applied Learning and Multimedia
Centre for Technology Transfer & Consultancy

Resni Mona | Source: ResearchSEA
Further information: www.unimas.my
www.researchsea.com

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