Development of wearable system for carpal tunnel syndrome
Research Journal of Textile and Apparel
ISSN: 1560-6074
Article publication date: 21 July 2022
Issue publication date: 10 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a hand disease caused by the pressing of the median nerve present in the palmar side of the wrist. It causes severe pain in the wrist, triggering disturbance during sleep. Different products like splints, braces and gloves are available in the market to alleviate this disease but there was still a need to improve the wearability, comfort and cost of the product. This study was about designing a comfortable and cost-effective wearable system for mild-to-moderate CTS. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy has been used to reduce the pain in the wrist.
Design/methodology/approach
After simulation by using Proteus software (which allowed the researchers to draw and simulate electrical circuits using ISIS, ARES and PCB design tools virtually), the circuit with optimum frequency, i.e. 33 Hz was selected, and the circuit was developed on a printed circuit board (PCB). The developed circuit was integrated successfully into the half glove structure.
Findings
The developed product had good thermophysiological comfort and hand properties as compared to the commercially available product of the same kind. In vivo testing (It involves the testing with living subjects like animals, plants or human beings) was performed which resulted in 85% confirmed viability of the product against CTS. A glove with an integrated circuit was developed successfully to accommodate various sizes without any sex specifications in a cost-effective way to mitigate the issue of CTS.
Research limitations/implications
Industrial workers, individuals frequently using their hands or those diagnosed with CTS may wish to use this product as therapy. The attention could not be paid to the aesthetic or visual appeal of the developed product.
Originality/value
A very comfortable glove with integrated TENS electrodes was developed successfully to accommodate various sizes without any sex specifications in a cost-effective way to mitigate the issues of CTS.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest. There is no conflict of interest among authors who worked collectively to execute this research work.
As the research work was conducted at National Textile University (NTU), Faisalabad, Pakistan, therefore it is dedicated to this home institution.
Citation
Iftikhar, F., Anis, S., Asad, U.B., Riaz, S., Rafiq, M. and Naeem, S. (2024), "Development of wearable system for carpal tunnel syndrome", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 269-281. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-10-2021-0122
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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