A Real-Time Feedback Rehabilitation Training Pen Using Flexible Thin Film Pressure Sensors for Stroke-Induced Hand Dysfunction

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally. One of the primary challenges for stroke survivors is the recovery of upper limb motor function, especially hand fine motor skills. Current hand rehabilitation for stroke patients requires on-site, long-term professional guidance from physical therapists and largely relies on their subjective assessments, which lack objective and real-time evaluations. This study designed and developed an intelligent hand rehabilitation training pen utilizing flexible thin film pressure sensors and a spring-actuated impedance clamping arm structure. This training pen can measure the muscle strength and joint angles of the fingers in real-time and provides immediate visual and auditory guidance and feedback. The device not only tracks the rehabilitation process through precise and data-driven measurements, but also enhances patient confidence and minimizes subjective evaluation errors by therapist, which optimizes hand fine motor skill rehabilitation process for stroke patients and improves their quality of life.