DeviceImpactInnovation Putting physiotherapy for upper limb disability back into the hands of patients
Upper limb disability affects millions of people, nationally and worldwide. Over five million people in the UK live with arm weakness, for example due to a stroke. The only intervention shown to improve arm function is repetitive, task-specific exercise. However, this has been limited by the cost, access to and availability of occupational therapists and physiotherapists. GripAble is a lightweight, low-cost electronic handgrip, which interacts wirelessly with standard smartphones and tablets enabling people with arm disability to play hand and arm exercise games. The device enables more than 90% of stroke patients to perform their own physiotherapy and increasing the rehabilitation intensity compared to what is currently affordable on the NHS.
Building on the NIHR Imperial BRC’s initial investment in this research area, Gripable Ltd. launched its first product line in Summer 2020 and deployed to 17 countries over the following 6 months. By the end of 2020, 800 systems were being used in rehabilitation centres in the UK and internationally. Gripable became the most adopted technology in the UK for upper limb rehabilitation by the end of 2020, and the company was voted number 4 in BusinessCloud’s inaugural MedTech 50 ranking for 2021.
See below stories for more information
Rehab device enables stroke survivors with arm disabilities to do more training
Imperial spinout GripAble™ launches to improve physical rehabilitation
