Design and Development of the R.E.A.C.H. (Rehabilitation, Engagement, Assistance, Control, Healing) Device for Individuals with Physical Disabilities

This study developed and evaluated a rehabilitation device using force-sensitive gloves, grip strength sensors, and interactive video games to improve hand mobility assessment and physical therapy. The research addressed the challenges of maintaining patient engagement in physical therapy by creating a low-cost, home-based solution using Leap Motion tracking and force sensors. We designed two games; the first game being PinchtoDraw and the second game being BalloonPop to measure precision pinch dynamics and extended grip strength. Data from 39 participants (23 female, 14 male, 2 nonbinary) provided task-dependent variations: balloon tasks showed greater joint mobility changes (e.g., 10.21-unit decline in Ring Joint 1 flexion,$\mathbf{p}=0.015$), while pinch tasks demonstrated high reproducibility. Gender differences showed different data outputs, with males having a stronger grip ($20.47-22.28$pressure units) and females having better finger pinch control (4.26 sensor units). The system successfully demonstrated high sensor accuracy (e.g., pressure sensor$\mathbf{R}^{\mathbf{2}}{ = }$0.9974 from calibration), effectively measured patient progress, and proved the significant potential for creating engaging and data-driven physical therapy games.