Supporting Hand Rehabilitation and Making Life Impact – Real Stories from Madglove Users



Glove user with the glove on, happy to see that it helps with hand rehabilitation

The diverse needs of patients suffering from spasticity regarding in-home rehabilitation devices are shaped by a multitude of factors, including the severity of arm impairment, functional limitations, levels of mobility independence, available familial support, residential environment, and financial considerations. Many stroke survivors find invaluable support and progress through the integration of innovative at-home therapy devices into their rehabilitation routines. The rapid advancement of upper extremity neurorehabilitation technologies has made effective therapy solutions greather than ever before. Nevertheless, many devices do not allow independent in-home rehabilitation, costs more than 10’000 euros or are not customisable enough. Moreover, they are created in a way to help perform certain tasks, but not to improve hand functions in the long run. 

Navigating the Long Road of Stroke Recovery: Overcoming Plateaus

In the past, it was commonly believed among healthcare professionals that hand recovery reached a plateau around 6 months post-stroke. However, emerging research now suggests that motor recuperation can extend up to 20 years post-stroke, with the implementation of ongoing functional movements and targeted exercises (1-3).

Harnessing the Power of Active Engagement to Enhance Hand Function

The journey to improved hand function requires a commitment to consistent exploration of new activities. Regardless of the degree of weakness or muscle tone, the key lies in continuous utilisation of the affected hand. Emphasising high-repetition exercises, such as card flipping or cup stacking, fosters neuroplasticity and solidifies motor memory, leading to smoother, more automated movements over time.

Introducing Madglove’s Revolutionary At-Home Therapy Device

At Madglove, we are committed to pioneering solutions that enhance the lives of  individuals with hand disability. Our innovative at-home therapy device, fashioned as a glove, offers relief from spasticity and promotes improved motor function in the long run. The glove is designed for independent use by the wearer in the comfort of their own home, while still maintaining affordability. By empowering individuals to perform daily tasks more efficiently, our device aims to elevate overall hand dexterity and functionality, fostering greater societal inclusion and reducing the overall burden of stroke.

Join us in our mission to redefine stroke rehabilitation.

Warm regards,

David

1. Sörös, P., Teasell, R., Hanley, D. F., & Spence, J. D. (2017). Motor recovery beginning 23 years after ischemic stroke. Journal of neurophysiology, 118(2), 778–781. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00868.2016

2. Hatem, S. M., Saussez, G., Della Faille, M., Prist, V., Zhang, X., Dispa, D., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2016). Rehabilitation of Motor Function after Stroke: A Multiple Systematic Review Focused on Techniques to Stimulate Upper Extremity Recovery. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 10, 442. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00442

3. Belén Rubio Ballester, Martina Maier, Armin Duff, Mónica Cameirão, Sergi Bermúdez, Esther Duarte, Ampar Cuxart, Susana Rodríguez, Rosa María San Segundo Mozo, and Paul F. M. J. Verschure (2019). A critical time window for recovery extends beyond one-year post-stroke. Journal of Neurophysiology, 122:1, 350-357. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00762.2018

The Journey to Independence – A New Path of Hand Rehabilitation

Why a hand rehabilitation tool, you might ask? It is estimated that one in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetime, with the likelihood of occurrence only rising. The consequences of a stroke often affect hand mobility, reducing the ability to perform even the simplest daily tasks and consequently decreasing independence that is crucial for everyday life.

Despite the increasing prevalence of strokes, the rehabilitation process and its efficiency remain stagnant. Taking this into account, our CEO Madalina, along with co-founders Cara, Tobi, David, and Sitah, decided to dedicate their knowledge and previous scientific experience to create Madglove—a simple, easy-to-use rehabilitation glove that empowers patients to actively participate in their own rehabilitation journey.

 Independence has always been a key motivation for us. Our goal was to create a tool that is simple and easy to use on its own, without any external help, fostering independence while supporting and improving hand mobility through seamless integration into daily life. Our rehabilitation glove helps users regain the ability to perform daily tasks without needing extra support from loved ones or caretakers, allowing them to bring back life fulfillment by returning to their passions and hobbies.



Glove user playing the guitar with disabled hand with a glove on.

Enhancing Life Quality, Transforming Daily Lives, and Taking Charge of Your Own Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is not just about supporting hand mobility; it’s about transforming the quality of life. It’s about people and the impact we can make through our work. This focus has always been, and will continue to be, our driving force at Madglove.

 

The stories of our glove testers encourage us every day. Seeing the changes and improvements in their quality of life, alongside the usual consequences of rehabilitation, and witnessing the true, valuable reactions of our users are irreplaceable experiences. For instance, enabling one of our testers to return to his passion—playing guitar—was such an honor for us. You can witness his journey yourself in this video. See our glove in action 

One heartwarming testimonial we received after a testing session exemplifies the impact we strive for: “At Madglove, I felt welcomed, I felt free, and I felt good. While wearing the glove, I could pick up things which I couldn’t do for the last 12/13 years. It works! I thought it couldn’t be true, but it is! I am happy! The glove can support me. I think the glove can increase my quality of life.” She even mentioned that after the session, she almost cried because of the experience. You can listen to the full testimonial here!

These stories lie at the core of Madglove—people, their lives, and their stories. There is no better feeling for us, the Madglove team, than hearing such encouraging words and knowing we can actually impact individuals’ lives and help them in their journey toward independence and a fulfilling life.

However, the work we do would not be possible without our incredible community and partners, to whom we are immensely grateful. Together, we can create change and strive every day towards our mission: to make disability just another aspect of diversity and support daily independence for a better, more joyful life.

 

At Madglove,, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities through innovative rehabilitation solutions. Our core values—empowerment, independence, and quality of life—drive us to co-create with our users and prioritize their needs. The stories of our users inspire us daily and affirm the impact of our work.

We are grateful for the support of our community as we continue our mission to redefine disability and promote independence. By embracing diversity and focusing on the individual, we strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilled and joyful life.

Madglove is more than just a rehabilitation tool; it is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Our journey is driven by the belief that every individual deserves the chance to improve their daily independence and enjoy a high quality of life. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact and transform lives, one glove at a time.

 

Our team members with glove tester

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