The number of Americans with arthritis or chronic joint pain has increased by more than 11 million in the past 25 years. As the country’s population ages, that number will only increase.
To help manufacturers of consumer goods better design products for customers who suffer from arthritis, researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute developed arthritis simulation gloves.
The gloves allow wearers to feel the reduced ability to grasp, pinch, turn, lift and twist objects caused by arthritis. Metal wires between layers of neoprene and other fabrics create finger stiffness and reduce finger strength.
Kraft Foods is one of three companies using the gloves to test products and packaging. The Arthritis Foundation in the United States and Arthritis Australia are using the gloves to raise awareness.
The gloves are available for purchase from GTRI. There also is a disability awareness kit that includes glasses that simulate impaired vision. More information is available at the GTRI Web site.
—Abby Vogel
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