Tactile sensing fabric glove to predict peak palmar pressure and prevent early impairments in leprosy affected patients - 2 year follow up study

The nerve function impairment in leprosy patients leads to the loss of protective sensation and muscle imbalance. Secondary impairments like ulcers and callosities are further developed due to the neglect of the high pressure prone areas caused due to the nerve function impairment. The study aimed to develop a tactile sensory glove with the sensors embedded in fabrics. The peak pressure threshold levels identified can further predict injury prone areas and prevent new impairments in the anaesthetic hands while carrying out their normal functional activities. Setting the threshold limit depending on the high pressure areas for each activity in every individual patients will help in predicting and preventing new ulcers and calluses. The robust tactile sensor glove provided to individual patients with peripheral nerve damage irrespective of their profession will help predict their pressure threshold while doing specific functional activity using impaired hands. The cost effective device also will help predict the ulcer prone areas in the anesthetic hands and feet on the leprosy affected patients if modified and provided on their initial visit to the hospital.