Group members: Kiara, Robert, Stella
The healthcare problem that our group is focused on is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis that stems from improper writing techniques. Carpal Tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve in the hand is compressed or squeezed in the wrist. The median nerve is compressed when the muscle tissue surrounding the tendons swell up. The pressure on the median nerve can cause lasting pain, numbness, tingling or weakness of the hand. The condition is more common in women and older people but children and young people can develop carpal tunnel syndrome from writing with a curved wrist or intensive writing for long periods of time. Any repetitive hand tasks can eventually cause carpal tunnel. Tendonitis causes similar problems when it comes to writing. Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons. Tendonitis in the wrist will cause a similar pain to Carpal tunnel and can affect writing. The specific problem we want to address is the pain in the wrist from tendonitis or carpal tunnel that can have a negative impact on writing.
In researching the need for our particular healthcare innovation, we found a lot of information regarding writing difficulties for people suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, and Arthritis. Most of the information that we found mentioned that strain or pressure was being placed on the median nerve and this caused lasting pain and numbness, making it difficult to write clearly and efficiently. Stella found various studies showing the need for a hand brace that would significantly improve quality of life for those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome specifically. The article, “An Innovative Hand Brace for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” in the Muscle & Nerve Journal evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a new brace and found that it showed success in improving functionality. An article from The New York Times also highlighted the struggles faced by those with Carpal Tunnel, and so we were able to see the prevalence of this condition as it is something that affects a significant portion of the population and interferes with their daily productivity. Overall, it has been found that using #D technology to fashion a sort of wrist splint or brace would be an important development since this would allow it to be more easily mass produced, and it would help to keep costs down.
Since our particular concentration is to see how we can improve handwriting, Robert found several sources that acknowledge the way a person’s grip on a writing utensil affects their handwriting. Many of these studies found a correlation between weak or strained grip and poor handwriting, especially amongst children. This work further supports the need for our healthcare innovation. In a Brazilian Journal for Pediatrics, it was published that research was done concerning how a certain grip on a pen or pencil could improve grip posture and therefore making writing more comfortable for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. This is relevant, because although we aren’t focusing specifically on cerebral palsy, this research can still help us identify key factors that contribute to improve handwriting. A study from the American Journal of Occupational Therapy also noted that students who used a type of pencil grip had better performance rates than those who did not use one. Therefore, this research could further help us to understand the ergodynamics of writing and translate the findings about the pencil grip into an overall wrist brace that will help with writing as well as other daily functions.
The research and data that I found focused more on using ergodynamics to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel and arthritis through specially designed writing grips. Another study that I found in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy suggested that a specifically designed writing grip may help writers to be more efficient and proficient, and thus relieve strain on the wrist and hopefully be applied to those suffering from carpal tunnel. A study from the International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology detailed the most common treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome which included bracing, but also detailed its limitations. These limitations included the fact that they were often stiff and non conforming and uncomfortable to wear. We hope to use all of this information to be able to design a brace that is more effective than current products available.
The problem we have identified is very specific, but highly pervasive throughout the country. Current braces on the market still prove to have less long-term benefits than surgery. This becomes an economic issue, since many people in the U.S. do not have health insurance to cover such surgeries. In addition, current models, whether custom-made or mass produced, don’t seem to have a significant difference. So what’s the point of paying extra for a custom-made brace? Scientists are still working to pinpoint the exact part of the median nerve and how the surrounding structure causes pain. Because it is so intricate, hand braces have varied in design, some having a neutral stance, while others are angled. Which is more effective? Our solution is to produce an affordable, durable brace that can relieve stress on the median nerve and improve writing efficiency. The brace should be flexible, while still maintaining the right amount of support in order to relieve the stress of the median nerve, which gets strained after a significant time of writing. Based on current research and patents on different brace designs, we hope to cross reference and come up with the most effective brace that solves all issues with current models.
Through our research, we have been able to come to the conclusion that this healthcare innovation is something that people need. It would significantly improve quality of life for thousands of people across the country and even more internationally. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, and Arthritis are ailments that a multitude of people suffer from, and it oftentimes interferes with their everyday lives. Sometimes surgery is not an option for these people, and so we hope that our wrist brace will help them to be able to continue with their routines comfortably and with the support they need. Our idea has much potential for success, especially with the 3D printing technology. This would allow our brace to be mass produced and sold in pharmacies and drugstores or even through doctors and pharmaceutical reps. With the right material and design, our idea could revolutionize the treatment of these conditions and open the door to further improvements as well.
