Analysis of Human Hand Kinematics: Forearm Pronation and Supination

One of the important movements to be trained on stroke patients during rehabilitation exercises is forearm pronation and supination as this movement is critical for activities of daily living. We conducted a kinematic study on healthy subject to investigate the effect of elbow and shoulder position on the Range of Motion of forearm pronation and supination. The Range of Motion was measured using a specially designed haptic knob on 40 healthy subjects (28 men and 12 women). Measurements were taken with three elbow-shoulder flexion and extension ranges with the forearm supported to constrain unwanted and confounding movement of the limb. Result shows a unique pattern that relates Range of Motion and velocity of pronation and supination with different elbow extension. This paper also presents the influence of gender, hand dominance, and medical injury on Range of Motion and movement velocity. Based on the findings, a benchmark Range of Motion and velocity was recommended for forearm pronation and supination during stroke rehabilitation.