For many of us, grasping a tool or utensil is second nature. But for individuals with hand weakness or limited dexterity, everyday tasks can be frustrating and challenging. That’s where DIY adaptations for gripping and grasping come in, offering a helping hand to regain independence and confidence with daily activities.
DIY Adaptations for Gripping and Grasping
Do-it-yourself (DIY) grip and grasp adaptations are customized tools and devices designed to assist individuals with holding objects more effectively. These aids are used to enhance the stability and comfort of a person’s grip, making daily activities more accessible for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity. Grip and grasp aids come in various forms, including specialized handles, straps, adaptive tools, and ergonomic devices, tailored to meet the specific needs of the intended user.
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DIY materials pictured left to right: non-slip rug liner, foam pipe insulation, thermoplastic sheets, self-adhering bandage wrap, orange theraband with non-slip texture, and rubber bands.Who Can Create Aids for Gripping and Grasping?
This post is for DIY assistive technology enthusiasts from all walks (or wheels) of life. There are a range of beginner to advanced materials and ideas on this post. If any of them are beyond your technical abilities or you have safety concerns, please seek advice from an occupational therapy practitioner or assistive technology professional. Rounding up the crowd, you may be:
Amateur or professional assistive technology creators
Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs)
Occupational Therapy Practitioners (OTPs), Physical Therapists, or Speech Therapists
Caregivers
Teachers
Special Educators
Orientation and Mobility Specialists
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists
Ergonomics Specialists
Rehab Engineers
Adult Day Services Providers
Wheelchair Technicians
Disability Services Providers
Inclusion Services Providers
Anyone else interested in DIY Assistive Technology
Basic Biomechanical and Sensory Principles of Gripping and Grasping
It may be helpful to understand some of the basic biomechanical and sensory principles that apply to grip and grasp aids. Here’s a user-friendly explanation of the principles applied:
Leverage: Imagine using a wrench. The longer the handle, the easier it is to turn a tight bolt. In the same way, grip aids often provide extended handles or surfaces, allowing you to use leverage to your advantage. This minimizes the force your muscles need to exert.
Friction: The amount of grip you have depends on the friction between your hand and the object you’re holding. Some grip aids have textured surfaces that increase friction, making it easier for you to maintain hold without excessive squeezing.
Joint Alignment: Our joints work most efficiently when they’re aligned properly. Grip aids are designed to promote natural alignment of your hand and wrist, reducing stress on the joints and making it more comfortable for you to hold onto objects.
Ergonomics: Ergonomics is about designing tools and devices to fit the human body’s natural shape and movements. Grip aids are often designed with ergonomic principles in mind, mimicking the natural shape of the hand to distribute forces evenly and reduce strain.
Sensory Feedback: Grip and grasp aids may incorporate features that enhance tactile feedback to the user. This feedback helps individuals better sense their grip strength and adjust their hold accordingly.
Surface Area: The biomechanical principle of surface area influences the distribution of force across a larger area. A larger surface area provides more secure grip, allowing individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity to manipulate objects better.
Materials Needed For DIY Grip and Grasp Aids
Many of the materials needed for DIY grip and grasp aids can be found around your home, workplace, or workshop. Here’s a sample list to get started:
Non-slip materials like shelf liner, self-fusing silicone tape, or Dycem Non-Slip
Specialty tapes with properties like padding or friction like Cat Tongue
Cloth elastic bandage wraps
Moldable materials like thermoplastic materials or clay for custom grips
Grip dips and coatings
Heat shrink tubing
A sample of moldable materials to create custom molded hand grips. Materials vary in their properties and skill level required. Pictured from left to right: Instamorph Moldable Plastic beds, FIMO Professional polymer clay, and Crayola Air dry clay.6 Types of DIY Grip and Grasp Aids
1. Built Up Handles
Built-up handles are thicker, easier-to-grip attachments added to the handles of everyday items like utensils, writing tools, toothbrushes, and gardening tools. They come in various materials, shapes, and sizes, catering to different needs and preferences. Some of the common biomechanical principles applied to built up handles includes increased surface area, ergonomics, joint alignment, and sensory feedback. You can wrap several layers of tapes or bandages, add foam grip tubing, or create custom hand grips with moldable materials to build up handles. The Rehab Store has foam tubing that can be cut to the desired length. A top choice for bandage wrap to build up handles is Coban, which is available in several colors.
Built up handle for a comb using foam pipe insulation.
Handles can be built-up by wrapping several layers of self-adhering bandage wrap2. Weighted Handles
Weighted handles can improve stability and joint position sense, using the principles of sensory feedback. Adding weight may be helpful for tremors or sensory issues. Adding heavy objects like metal or building up the handle with moldable materials like air-dry clay can achieve the desired weight characteristics. Many weighted handles have combination features like built up surfaces, tactile elements, and anti-slip features as well.
Materials used to add weight to a fork3. Friction Enhancements for Grip Aids
Anti-slip and textured materials use principles of friction to stabilize the hand. Sweaty palms and weak hands gain an advantage when the skin “sticks” to the grasp aid better. Depending on the size and shape of the friction enhancement features, the principles of leverage may be applied too. See our post on Stabilizing Materials for Daily Living Aids and Items for several material ideas!
Strips of rug liner wrapped around a spoon for stabilization of the fingers. Wrap is secured by rubber bands.
Rubber bands added to a knife can increase friction and add leverage to assist with cutting motions.
A strip of exercise band with non-slip qualities was wrapped around a mop handle.4. Cushioned Handles
Cushioned handles support hand function by absorbing shock, damping vibration, and distributing pressure evenly. They conform to hand contours, provide a more comfortable grip, and decrease hand fatigue during extended use. Individuals with hand pain, arthritis, tendonitis, and people with hand injuries are great candidates for cushioned handles. The principles of ergonomics, sensory feedback, surface area, and joint alignment apply best to DIY cushioned handles. Great materials to use include foam padding, elastic fabric bandage wraps, and self-adhering bandage wrap.
Elastic fabric bandage wrapped around a screwdriver for cushioned grip.5. Custom Molded Handles
Custom-molded hand grips support hand function by conforming to the user’s hand contours, enhancing comfort and reducing the effort required for a secure grip. They offer joint protection by promoting proper alignment and minimizing stress on hand joints. People with arthritis, joint deformities, hand injuries, hand pain, and hand weakness can particularly benefit from custom molded handles. Similar to cushioned handles, the principles of ergonomics, sensory feedback, surface area, leverage, and joint alignment apply for cushioned handles.
Some custom molded handles can be created by assistive technology novices using product like air dry molding materials like Sugru and air cry clay. Other moldable materials like thermoplastic beads and sheets require more experience and enhanced safety precautions. Our post on Moldable Materials for DIY Assistive Technology Projects covers many material options and ideas.
Custom molded toothbrush grip made out of heated thermoplast. This technique requires extra safety precautions and a higher level of expertise.6. Custom Cuffs and Holders
Most custom cuffs and holders are for advanced DIYers. They can be made out of materials like nylon webbing, hook and loop straps, D-rings, and splinting material. See our tutorials for ideas! Cuffs and holders offer distinct advantages for people with little to no grasp strength because they wrap around the hand and prevent items from dropping. Biomechanical principles of leverage, surface area, ergonomics, and joint alignment apply best when designing custom cuffs and holders for people with very weak to absent hand strength.
DIY cuff for a flashlight made out of duct tape
Universal cuff with elastic straps around red foam grip tubing
Custom universal cuff for a spoon made out of thermoplastic sheet material. This method requires advanced skills and extra safety precautions.DIY Grip and Grasp Aids Summary
In the realm of DIY assistive technology, aids to improve gripping and grasping opens doors for individuals facing challenges with hand weakness, injuries, or limited dexterity. The basic biomechanical and sensory principles of leverage, surface area, ergonomics, joint alignment, sensory feedback, and friction play pivotal roles in enhancing the effectiveness of these tools. By applying these principles with DIY friendly materials, you can empower yourself or others to regain independence and confidence in their daily activities.
Remember, this content serves as educational information and inspiration rather than a substitute for professional advice. If in doubt or facing technical challenges, seek guidance from qualified occupational therapy practitioners or assistive technology professionals. We hope this post gives you a better “grasp” of DIY assistive technology solutions for gripping and grasping—where every creation is a step towards inclusion and independence.
