Researchers at Cornell University have developed a soft robotic glove that may help people with hand swelling reduce fluid buildup safely at home.
The glove, called EdemaFlex, uses 37 tiny built-in actuators to gently squeeze the hand in a controlled sequence.
In a small early study, participants saw their hand volume decrease by as much as 25% after just one 30-minute session.
Hand swelling, also known as edema, can happen after surgery, injury, cancer treatment, or due to certain medical conditions.
It can cause discomfort, stiffness, and difficulty moving the fingers. Treatment often requires repeated visits to a therapist for manual compression. The Cornell team wanted to create something wearable and easy to use outside the clinic.
EdemaFlex builds on earlier soft-robotic devices created by Professor Hsin-Liu (Cindy) Kao and her team at the Hybrid Body Lab.
Their previous designs focused on single fingers and introduced the idea of using shape-memory alloy actuators—thin metal springs that contract when heated by a small electric current. When activated, these springs gently tighten and apply pressure.
The new glove expands that concept to the entire hand. It contains six actuators in each finger and seven in the palm.
When turned on, the springs compress in sequence from the fingertips toward the wrist. This pattern helps push excess fluid out of the hand and back into circulation, similar to how professional compression therapy works.
The glove is made from flexible knitted materials, including yarn with spandex for stretch and comfort. A small printed circuit board controls the actuators, and the pressure intensity and timing can be adjusted based on a patient’s needs. This allows for personalized therapy.
Designing the glove required close collaboration with clinicians. The team needed to carefully place the actuators so they would help move fluid without interfering with important blood vessels and lymphatic pathways. Doctors and therapists provided input on where compression should occur and how the glove should fit patients whose hands may be stiff or difficult to open.
In the study, seven people with diagnosed hand edema tested the glove over three days, including one day of unsupervised use at home.
The researchers used a digital design system that allowed clinicians to send hand measurements to the lab, where custom gloves were knitted using a computer-controlled machine. After fitting and adjustments, final versions were produced for each participant.
Most participants experienced a 3% to 5% reduction in hand volume, measured using water displacement. One participant saw a dramatic 25% reduction.
Many also had a small decrease in hand circumference. Importantly, participants reported that the glove felt safe and easy to use, and no major safety concerns were observed.
While the study was small, the results suggest that soft robotic wearables like EdemaFlex could offer a convenient and personalized option for managing hand swelling at home.
