Glove offers 'life changing' movement to stroke patients

A prototype electronic glove that enables movement in paralysed hands is potentially "life-changing", stroke patients have said.

Developed at the University of Southampton, it is intended to help people regain muscle strength and function.

Printed electrodes make contact with the skin and send electronic impulses to produce an artificial movement.

Dave Lea, the first patient to try the device, said it was "breath-taking".

The glove is intended to help people regain muscle strength and function

By stimulating the nerves and muscles, it enables stroke survivors to achieve movement in their weak side, helping them to regain muscle strength and function.

Professor Kai Yang, who developed the glove, said it could be used by patients as part of their rehabilitation at home.

He said: "This glove enables them to work on their rehab in small blocks of time when it suits them.

"With stroke rehabilitation, the more you practice movement, the more you regain muscle strength and mobility."

Dave and Susan Lea said the glove could be "life-changing"

The gloves were produced using the Winchester School of Art's industrial knitting machines, which can produce clothing that is both strong and soft enough to wear comfortably.

The electrodes are printed inside the sleeve and connected to an electronic control unit, allowing the user to vary the level of stimulation as required.

Mr Lea, from Chandler's Ford, tested the therapeutic device as part of his recuperation from a major stroke in 2015, at the age of 54, that left him largely paralysed on his right side.

The glove enables him to move his paralysed right hand.

"It's life changing - it means I can move my hand - something I've been unable to do for eight years. This is breath-taking," he said.

It is hoped that by repeated movements using the glove, he will one day no longer need it and will open and close his hand independently again.

Mr Lea's wife Sarah said it was "just amazing" seeing him test the glove for the first time.

She said: "It's giving Dave the opportunity to do that grip and release movement that he finds very difficult to do naturally.

"Things like picking up normal everyday items become a lot easier to do.

"It's incredible that it enables him to move his hand. It really could change the lives of stroke survivors."

Mr Lea's wife Sarah said it was "just amazing" seeing him test the glove

Prof Yang is now looking to refine the design of the prototype glove.

She said she intended to seek regulatory approval and then work with a manufacturer in the hope of the glove being commercially available within five years.

"We are delighted with the prototype and would like to see this become a product that's available to all stroke survivors, to help improve their recovery and their quality of life," she added.