OBJECTIVE: To develop a sensory glove model and test it in subjects with normal sensitivity in the upper limbs, who have been trained to replace hearing with touch. METHODS: To make the equipment, a glove, mini-microphones, amplifier and headphones were used. Seven female subjects, with a mean age of 26.28 years (± 1.03) were selected to use the equipment and differentiate textures after training. The training took place over seven days, fifteen minutes a day, with the aim of identifying textures through sound, using the sensory glove. At the end all subjects answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: All the subjects rated the use of the glove as "comfortable". Three subjects (42%) rated the aesthetic appearance of the equipment as "excellent", two subjects (28.57%) as "good", and two subjects (28.57%) as "regular." Six subjects (85.7%) identified the textures by sound alone, and one subject (14.3%) reported that he was aided by touch. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to manufacture a model of sensory glove using national technology that is readily accessible and relatively low cost, enabling the identification of textures through sound when the equipment is used by individuals trained to replace hearing with touch. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.
Peripheral nerves; Hand; Rehabilitation
