Technological devices for the assessment and rehabilitation of hand and finger function in multiple sclerosis A systematic review
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Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that often leads to impairments in hand function, these limitations affect their quality of life. The use of technological devices in the parameterization and rehabilitation of manual dexterity in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) has gained significant attention due to their potential to improve the assessment and rehabilitation for the upper limb. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the technological devices used for assessing and rehabilitating hand function in pwMS. It focuses on sample size, participant characteristics, tools and methodologies, intervention types, frequency and duration, and the anatomical regions and variables analysed. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, identified studies using technological devices for hand function assessment and rehabilitation in PwMS. Data were extracted on sample size, participant demographics (age, sex, MS type, and disease duration), tools used, intervention protocols and primary variables analysed. The review included 15 studies with a total of 865 pwMS, 28 healthy persons and 2123 healthcare professionals. The studies employed a variety of tool, tests, activities and protocols, going from traditional appliance to sensor-equipped devices. Rehabilitation protocols varied in frequency, duration and in format, with sessions lasting between 40 and 60 minutes, conducted 2–6 times per week over 4–8 weeks and conducted in person or telematic. Technological interventions show potential to improve hand function and treatment adherence. However, further research is needed to validate their predictive performance, optimize intervention protocols, and address challenges such as accessibility and long-term effectiveness.
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