Development and Validation of an E-Textile Parallel Plate Sensor for Grasp Pressure Measurement
摘要
Accurate assessment of hand function is critical in the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological conditions such as stroke, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or neurocognitive disorders. Traditional clinical evaluations, like Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), often rely on subjective scoring and may lack the sensitivity needed to detect subtle changes in motor function. This study introduces a wearable, textile-based capacitive force sensor designed to provide evaluation of grasp forces during functional tasks. The sensor is composed entirely of soft, flexible materials, including conductive textiles, making it comfortable and adaptable for use in clinical. Mechanical and electrical characterizations were conducted under compressive loading. Sensor performance was evaluated in terms of linearity, sensitivity and repeatability, with pressure ranges relevant to functional grip forces (10–200 kPa). A data-driven regression model was developed to accurately predict applied pressure from measured capacitance. The proposed sensor offers a low-cost, non-intrusive solution to monitor hand function, supporting the development of personalized rehabilitation protocols.