Improved grip strength and hand function demonstrated in preliminary data from the iHand study

Today, preliminary results from the ongoing iHand study were presented at the congress of the International Federation of Hand Surgery and Hand Therapy (IFSSH & IFSHT) in London. The results from 49 participants show a significant improvement in both grip strength (27%) and hand function (12%)*. These preliminary results are valuable since they indicate that people with reduced grip strength and hand function can independently perform activities in daily life with Carbonhand^®.

For people with impaired hand function, the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) is often impaired and a limiting factor in their lives. One of the biggest problems in number of disabilities is a reduced grip strength, which leads to them having difficulty grasping and holding objects, which in turn can negatively affect their quality of life.

The power-strengthening glove Carbonhand gives patients an improved grip during use. The hypothesis in the study is that long-term use of Carbonhand on the affected hand provides intensive and task-specific training, which results in improved arm and hand function even without support of the glove. That is, the use of the glove has a so-called rehabilitative effect.

In the ongoing iHand study conducted at eight different clinics in the Netherlands, patients, who have lived with a disability in the hand for an average of 10 years, have used Carbonhand for six weeks and then evaluated the effect of the glove. When data from 49 participants have been analyzed, an improvement in hand strength of 27% is seen immediately after the intervention period. In order to demonstrate a rehabilitative effect, the grip strength has also been measured four weeks after the use of Carbonhand has ended, also with very good results. The remaining improvement in grip strength is 24%.

The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, a standardized assessment of hand function, has also been used to assess how well participants can perform a simulation of daily activities. In this test, participants are asked to perform seven different tasks and, in these assessments, participants have improved their function by 12%.

"The fact that Carbonhand improves grip function by 27% in patients who received their injury on average 10 years ago is impressive, it means great opportunities for thousands of patients to regain their lost hand function and improve the quality of life significantly. We are now looking forward with great excitement to a new version of Carbonhand being released on the market soon to further improve the situation for those living with impaired hand function.” -says Petter Bäckgren, CEO of Bioservo.

* Kottink AIR, Nikamp CDM, Buurke JH, Bos F, van der Sluis CK, van den Broek M, Onneweer B, Stolwijk-Swüste JM, Brink SM, Rietman JS, Prange-Lasonder GB. Six weeks use of a wearable soft-robotic glove during ADL: preliminary results of ongoing clinical study. International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand and International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy, IFSSH & IFSHT, London, 6-10 juni 2022. 

The clinical trial has been conducted within the framework of the iHand project. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 801945.

For more information, please contact:
Petter Bäckgren, CEO
petter.backgren@bioservo.com
+46 8 21 17 10
 

Mikael Wester, Marketing Manager
mikael.wester@bioservo.com
+46 8 21 17 10

About Bioservo Technologies
Bioservo Technologies AB (publ) is a world leading company in wearable muscle strengthening systems for people in need of extra strength and endurance. All our innovative products and systems are designed to keep people strong, healthy, and efficient.

The company has a unique global position within soft exoskeleton technology for the hand, both for industrial applications to improve the health for workers and to improve quality of life for people with reduced muscle strength.

Bioservo Technologies was founded in 2006 in collaboration between researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology and a doctor at Karolinska University Hospital. Bioservo Technologies is a Swedish public limited company with headquarters in Stockholm.

FNCA Sweden AB, +46(0)8-52800399, info@fnca.se is the company’s Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

For more information, please visit www.bioservo.com