Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 889-14665, Tehran, Iran.
2
Master student, Department of Sports Biomechanics, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Biomechanics, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
4
PhD in Exercise Physiology, Farhangian University, Ardabil, Iran.
Abstract
Background: The loss of upper limb functionality severely impacts daily living and mobility, driving the need for advanced prosthetic and rehabilitative solutions. Soft robotics has emerged as a promising alternative to rigid systems, offering inherent safety, adaptability, and intuitive control. This review synthesizes recent advancements (2021–2025) in soft robotic applications for hand rehabilitation and sports biomechanics, highlighting their potential to restore dexterity and enhance performance.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, screening 147 articles from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and WOS. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on soft robotic hands, assistive gloves, and wearable devices for rehabilitation and sports. Data were analyzed for design innovations, control mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and user outcomes.
Results: Key advancements include: (1) multi-DOF prosthetic hands (e.g., 14-DOF design with 87.3% gesture recognition accuracy), (2) Tendon-driven assistive gloves (20–80N grasp force; 4.53/5 user satisfaction), and (3) Wearable training devices (75% improvement in motor skill retention). Soft robotics outperformed rigid systems in adaptability and user experience but faced limitations in power efficiency and durability. Machine learning-enhanced control (e.g., ProMP algorithms) and EMG feedback improved intuitive interaction.
Conclusions: Soft robotics demonstrates transformative potential in rehabilitation and sports, though challenges in scalability and clinical validation persist. Future research must prioritize biomimetic refinement, energy-efficient actuation, and large-scale trials to transition prototypes into real-world solutions. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be critical to advancing this field and improving quality of life for users globally.
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