The care provider recognised the company, NEOFECT, as the winner in the ‘Best Aids and Equipment’ and ‘Best Accessible Technology’ categories for its RAPAEL Smart Glove and RAPAEL Smart Pegboard – both of which are used in the rehabilitation and treatment of patients following serious injury or stroke.

The ingenious design, which highlights just how today’s technology can be adapted for patient care, was very well received by the panel at the Blackwood Design Awards, which aim to celebrate the great and good of innovations to help people who have disabilities.

The RAPAEL Smart Glove works using interactive gaming to encourage and motivate its users to keep repeating measured movements in their recovery phase.

Its range of games use algorithms which adapt to the progression of its users and, thanks to its engaging technology, the RAPAEL Smart Glove brings feeling and movement back to inactive parts of the hand, wrist and forearm.

The award-winning piece of equipment increases the difficulty of the movements and games with the patient’s progression, as well as also tracking and recording their development.

Anna Choi, marketing communication manager at NEOFECT, said: “Lots of stroke survivors give up rehabilitation due to cost constraints and distance to treatment facilities, so digital and at-home devices, like the RAPAEL Smart Rehabilitation Solutions, help overcome these obstacles and allow patients to continue training to regain their mobility.

“We believe that by using game-based training, healthcare providers can help their patients stay positive about their recovery, which will lead to better rehabilitation experiences and more people getting back their health.

“We’re very proud to have our designs and contribution recognised in the Blackwood Design Awards this year – it’s a true honour.

“We’re all extremely excited at the prospect of the word spreading, which could see more people benefit from the glove.”

The rehabilitation process for people trying to get movement back in their body can be a slow and exhausting process.

One of the most important benefits of the RAPAEL Smart Glove is that it gives its user independence. The glove can be used at home, while contact can still be maintained with a therapist via video calls.

The glove was first co-invented by the CEO of NEOFECT, Hoyoung Ban, who recognised the need to advance the rehabilitation process after experiencing first-hand the obstacles both patients and families face after losing his father to a stroke, and later seeing two uncles fall victim to the same condition.

Max Brown, chair of Blackwood Board, said: “We were thoroughly impressed with the amount of quality entrants for this year’s awards, and the RAPAEL Smart Glove was one that just stood out to us immediately.

“This glove’s design has incredible results with its patient recovery rates and really has the potential to breathe a breath of fresh air into the way we think about the rehabilitation process.

“The invention makes a huge difference in helping those living with disabilities to live more independently and that’s what we aim to promote and encourage with the Blackwood Design Awards.”

To find out more, visit: https://www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk/blackwood-design-awards.