Enabling Hand Function and Creating Independence for people with SCI on C4-C6 with Robotics and Active Orthopedic Devices.

Abstract

In Sweden alone, 5.000 people are living with a spinal cord injury (hereon SCI) and the incidence rate is 150 new cases yearly. Between 50-70% of the patients were under the age of 30 at the time of the injury and the impact on the activities of daily living, is often severe. The loss of movement and sensation often leads to limitations which requires continued assistance and it, consequently, leads to a significant loss of independence and quality of life (QOL).

For individuals with e.g. C4-C6 injuries, aids such as powered wheelchairs, has proven life changing in terms of the mobility and freedom it returns to its user. However, when listing the most important function for QOL, hand function was ranked the highest – this compared to e.g. the ability to walk and bladder and bowel function. Despite this, options that does not include complex surgeries or even amputation to replace the hand with a prosthetic myoelectric hand, is limited. What if robotic technologies, such as Exoskeletons and Active Orthopedic Devices, could enable the same revolutionary freedom for hand function, as the electronic wheelchair did for mobility?

We will, during the symposium, present a new way of using innovative robotic technologies to give independence and QOL back to C4-C6 patients – to enable an enhanced key-grip which allows them grasp, hold and release object in an intuitive way. We will also highlight the importance and benefits of working in a close collaboration with potential users and display study results.

Statement of the objective / learning objectives

Ways to create Independence and Hand Function for C6-C4 patients by using non-invasive technologies and Robotics and how to involve the user in the process.

This session focuses on the topic Orthotics: Spinal.