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NIH grant 1R41HD117459-01A1: An Electronic Grip Gauge (EGG) for Rehabilitating and Assessing Fine Sensorimotor Hand Function After Stroke
Institute: {'code': 'HD', 'abbreviation': 'NICHD', 'name': 'Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development', 'admin_org_id': '12500030', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Jacob Anthony George. Award: $226200.
Start: 2026-09-25T00:00:00.
PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide and 80% of all stroke survivors experience upper-
limb hemiparesis (i.e., partial paralysis of the hand and arm on one side). Upwards of 50% of individuals with
upper-limb hemiparesis also experience sensory deficits in the hand. However, sensory deficits, and the fine
sensorimotor function that stems from sensory feedback, are frequently overlooked in today’s rehabilitation
programs. This is despite research indicating that the integration of both sensory and motor training can be
more effective than conventional approaches which focus primarily on motor training. This neglect of fine
sensorimotor function can be explained in part due to a lack of standardized assessment and rehabilitation
tools and validated performance metrics. Given the importance of fine sensorimotor hand function in daily life,
there exists a critical need for a standardized device capable of both assessing and rehabilitating fine
sensorimotor hand function.
Manipulating a fragile object without breaking it requires a dexterous interplay of both sensory and motor
function. Indeed, most occupational therapists often task patients to transfer eggs in a carton or hold plastic
cups of water without spilling/breaking them to assess and/or rehabilitate grip force regulation and sensory
function. These fragile object tasks represent real-world challenges but do not provide the efficiency,
standardization, and validation needed in physical medicine & rehabilitation.
To address this, we are developing the Electronic Grip Gauge (EGG), a handheld wireless device that can
mimic a fragile object. The EGG consists of a 3D-printed block embedded with sensors that track applied grip
force, load force, acceleration, and relative object position. The device is intended for the ~86% of stroke
patients who struggle with grip force regulation during fine motor tasks such as handling fragile objects. Users
would attempt to repeatedly transfer the EGG over a barrier as quickly as possible while regulating their grip
force to avoid “breaking” the object. If the applied grip force exceeds a set threshold, an audible “break” sound
plays. Patients must rely on sensory feedback to monitor and regulate their fine motor execution while
transferring the EGG multiple times over the barrier. In Aim 1, we will work with a focus group to develop
software to automatically quantify outcome metrics in real time and to promote rehabilitation through dynamic
task difficulty and multimodal feedback. In Aim 2, we will perform a clinical pilot with a small cohort of stroke
patients to assess the feasibility of the EGG as an assistive and rehabilitative tool. Successful completion of
this work will enable a Phase II clinical trial validating the first product to provide quantifiable assessments and
improve rehabilitation of fine sensorimotor hand function.document fetched 2026-10-04 02:43