Automated measurements of finger movements in arthritic patients using a wearable data hand glove

This paper outlines the initial ideas surrounding the development of an accurate hand movement measurement tool. This tool will assist medical clinicians, specifically rheumatologists and orthopeadic hand surgeons, with the accurate measurement of the loss of movement in the human hand. This has many direct applications within medical practice including diagnosis, prognosis and recovery assessment of patients with conditions specific to the hand e.g. to measure how far a patient can close their fingers (with a flare up in arthritis patients may not be able to make a fist). Current measurement techniques available to clinicians are either invasive (x-rays) or rely heavily on manual evaluation such as vision and touch which are dependent on training and experience and results often vary between observers. Measuring tape is commonly used to measure distances e.g. between palm and fingertip which also leads to issues with accuracy. Also patient self questionnaires are often used which introduce interpretation problems.