A Device for Handmotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation

Abstract

Stroke and other neurological disorders often result in both motor and cognitive impairments, particularly affecting hand movement, coordination, attention, and memory. Conventional rehabilitation approaches generally address these aspects separately, which may limit the overall recovery process. To address this limitation, the device for hand Motor and cognitive rehabilitation system is developed as an integrated solution that simultaneously evaluates and trains both hand motor and cognitive functions. The device incorporates force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors, RGBLEDs, and a microcontroller-based control unit to detect finger pressure, provide visual feedback, and guide users through interactive rehabilitation tasks. The system operates in two modes: Evaluation Mode and Training Mode. Evaluation Mode measures important parameters such as finger strength, reaction time, and memory performance, providing objective data for clinical assessment. Training Mode introduces structured and interactive exercises that help improve motor coordination, grip strength, attention, and cognitive response through repeated practice and real-time feedback. The device is designed with a modular and ergonomic structure, allowing independent monitoring of each finger while ensuring user comfort during rehabilitation sessions. In addition, the device integrates wireless communication and a web-based interface for real-time monitoring and data recording. This enables clinicians to track patient progress, analyze performance metrics, and adjust rehabilitation programs accordingly.

Introduction

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, with most survivors experiencing upper limb motor impairments and cognitive deficits such as attention, memory, and executive function issues. Traditional rehabilitation often treats motor and cognitive functions separately, but research shows these domains are interconnected, and integrated therapy can improve recovery outcomes, particularly in the first three months post-stroke.

The Hand Motor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Device addresses this need by combining hand motor training with cognitive exercises in a portable, affordable, and easy-to-use system. It uses five modular finger units with Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) sensors and RGB LEDs, controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller, to measure grip strength, reaction time, and memory while providing real-time visual feedback. The device operates in two modes: Evaluation Mode for assessment and Training Mode for gamified rehabilitation tasks, allowing remote monitoring through a web interface.

Simulation and hardware testing confirmed accurate multi-finger force sensing, real-time data acquisition, and effective feedback for both clinical and remote use. The 3D-printed ergonomic design ensures comfort, modularity, and portability, while the software platform enables live monitoring and data recording. Overall, the system provides an integrated, personalized approach for combined motor and cognitive rehabilitation, showing promise for improving post-stroke recovery outcomes.

Conclusion

The Hand Motor and Cognitive rehabilitation Device stands out because of its ergonomic design, adaptability, robustness, and reliability as a tool for measuring force, memory, attention, and coordination. It holds promise for therapists, helping them conduct reliable evaluations and address motor and cognitive issues in patients with a single, portable, and cost-effective device. It can offer flexible programming and create stronger links with more complex cognitive evaluations. Unlike other hand rehabilitation devices, Hand Motor and Cognitive rehabilitation Device includes cognitive rehabilitation tasks, a feature missing in existing options. The hardware of the Hand Motor and Cognitive rrehabilitation device is reliable, accurate, and user-friendly, effectively capturing motor and cognitive responses with modular sensor-equipped finger units. The Arduino Uno provided smooth control and data management, and the system aligned well with standard clinical tools. Its compact, ergonomic design makes it suitable for both clinical and remote use, offering a practical solution for stroke rehabilitation.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Abdullah B, Aleena Joseph, Fathima Shifa C P, Rohith Rilesh, Neena Skaria, Kiran Boby. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.