Diseño de instrumento de fisioterapia y rehabilitación de la movilidad en manos de adultos mayores

Abstract

This project addresses low adherence to home-based manual rehabilitation in older adults with reduced mobility, a problem that limits performance in activities of daily living and reduces autonomy. With the aim of providing a safe, understandable, and motivating therapeutic tool, Handex was designed, a hybrid system consisting of a therapeutic glove and a mobile application. The hypothesis is that physical support and digital guidance with feedback promote consistency in practice and the user's perception of control. The research was conducted using the Design Thinking methodology, integrating interviews, surveys, observation, and benchmarking to derive design requirements. Iterative prototypes and a functional prototype were developed using elastic textiles, adjustment systems, and thermoformed and 3D-printed components, taking into account ISO standards for anthropometry, glove sizing, and usability. The result was a system with tension regulation for phalanges, wrist support, and an app with patient-physical therapist profiles for prescribing routines, audiovisual guidance, reminders, and progress tracking. Exploratory tests showed adequate understanding, comfort, and perception of progress. It is concluded that Handex is a viable alternative to support home rehabilitation and strengthen autonomy through monitoring and motivation. Keywords: Hand rehabilitation, Therapeutic devices, Older adults, Design Thinking, Physical therapy.