Foam grip tubing may not be the flashiest assistive technology, but within its simplicity lies surprising utility. These adaptable foam tubes are a great starting place for people who need grip assistance to handle objects. In the world of assistive technology, the most useful mantra is to start with low-tech solutions before progressing to high-tech ones, making foam grip tubing an invaluable part of your assistive technology toolkit. This post will cover several innovative uses and modifications for foam grip tubing to unlock its full potential.
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What is Foam Grip Tubing?
Foam grip tubes are soft, durable, flexible, and lightweight cylinder shaped tubes. They come in various diameters to accommodate different uses. Their primary function is to provide a thicker, cushioned surface for improved grip and comfort. Foam grip tubing can be applied to a variety of cylindrical objects, enhancing usability for anything from pencils to toothbrushes.
Yellow, red, and blue foam grip tubingWho Can Use Foam Grip Tubing?
Foam grip tubing can be a helpful tool for people who struggle with grip strength, dexterity, or coordination. This includes people with:
- Arthritis
- Age-related hand weakness
- Hypermobility of the hands
- Limb differences
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, or Trigger Finger
- Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, or Multiple Sclerosis affecting hand function
- Neurological injuries including Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke), or Spinal Cord Injury leading to difficulties with hand function
Person who sustained a brain injury using foam grip tubing over a stylus to use a communication deviceAdvantages of Foam Grip Tubing
Improve Independence: Foam grip tubing empowers users to perform daily tasks with greater ease and independence.
Reduce Pain and Discomfort: The soft padding cushions hands, reducing pain and discomfort associated with gripping tasks.
Enhance Control: Foam grip tubing increases handle surface area, leading to a more secure grip and reducing the risk of dropping objects.
Affordable and Easy to Use: Foam grip tubing is a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for improving grip strength.
Foam grip tubing uses from left to right: enhance the grip of a spoon, eyeliner pencil, or toothbrush.Foam Grip Tubing Uses
While most commonly used on eating utensil handles, foam grip tubing applications extend far beyond the dining table. Here are some other ideas to spark your inspiration:
Writing Instruments: Build up pens, pencils, and markers for a more comfortable and controlled grip.
- Modify Art Supplies: Applying foam grip tubing to art supplies, like paintbrushes and markers, enhances comfort and control, allowing for longer, more enjoyable creative sessions without hand fatigue.
Touch Screen Styluses: Improve touch screen device access by adding foam grip tubing over an adapted stylus.
Charger Cord Handling: Thicken the charging end of your electronic device charger cord for improved handling.
Dressing Assistive Device Enhancements: Add foam grip tubing to dressing sticks, reachers tools, and shoe horns to cushion the handles.
Personal Care Tools: Apply tubing to adapted toothbrushes, razors, combs, and hairbrushes to improve handling during daily routines.
- Makeup Hacks: Using foam grip tubing on makeup applicators and brushes can improve grip and stability, making it easier to apply makeup with precision and reducing strain during use.
Palm Protector for Contracted Hands: Place foam grip tubing within a contracted hand to prevent skin breakdown in the palm.
Cushion Wheelchair Parts: Cut foam grip tubing along the length of the tube to pad wheelchair parts like the edge of the seat pan, footrests, and armrests.
Sports and Exercise Equipment: Add foam grip tubing to handlebars, weights, or other sports equipment for improved control and comfort.
Gardening Tools: Enhance rake, trowel, and pruner handles for supported grip while gardening.
Tool Handles: Upgrade your hammers and screwdrivers with foam grip tubing to reduce hand fatigue during prolonged use.
Zip-Up Clothing: Place a short piece of tubing around the zipper pull for easier grasping and maneuvering.
Pain Management: Pad frequently used objects like door levers and cabinet pulls to reduce pressure on tender hands.
Kitchen Tools: Add foam grip tubing to kitchen tools such as spatulas, ladles, and knives.
Walking Aids: Enhanced comfort and confidence while walking by customizing walker and cane handles with foam grip tubing.
Fishing Gear: Anglers can benefit from the addition of foam grip tubing to fishing rod handles to absorb vibrations.
Crochet Hook Use: Using foam grip tubing on crochet hooks can provide a cushioned, ergonomic hold, making it easier and more comfortable for users to crochet for extended periods.
Built up charging end of a cell phone charger cord
Red foam grip tubing used as a palm protector for a person with a contracted hand
Blue foam tubing added to a dressing stick handleBasic Foam Grip Tubing Instructions
Choose the Right Size: Foam grip tubing comes in various outer and inner diameters. Select an inner diameter that snugly fits the handle you want to enhance.
Cutting and Securing: Use sharp scissors to cut the tubing to your desired length. You can secure it to objects with rubber bands or various assistive technology tapes for a non-slip fit.
Foam grip tubing with small, medium, and large inner openingsModification Ideas for Foam Grip Tubing
Taper the ends with a scissors to improve line of sight for eating, writing, or touch screen stylus use.
Enhance grip further with non-slip materials like self-adhering bandage wrap, self-fusing silicone tape, Dycem Non-Slip, shelf liner, or exercise band material. Our post on Stabilizing Materials has tons of other ideas too.
Add a finger loop made out of zip ties to improve dexterity and control.
Incorporate a universal cuff to enhance control and prevent items from dropping. See our post on DIY Universal Cuffs for instructions to create your own cuffs and hand straps. If you’d rather purchase a universal cuff to use with your foam grip tubing, check out our post on Universal Cuffs, Clips, and Holders.
Create finger spacers out of self-adhering bandage wrap to properly align fingers.
Add a stop block at either end to prevent hands from sliding off the tubing. You can use tape or self-adhering bandage wrap.
Foam grip tubing modifications from left to right:1. Shelf liner to increase friction and enhance grip.
2. Zip ties to create a finger loop for improved control.
3. Self-adhering bandage wrap to increase friction and improve grip.
4. Hand cuff made out of double-sided hook and loop tape to improve control and prevent the object from dropping.
More foam grip tubing modifications from left to right:1. Finger spacers to align fingers. Spacers are made out of self-adhering bandage wrap.
2. Hand cuff made out of duct tape and double-sided hook and loop to improve control and prevent the object from dropping.
3. Non-skid material made out of exercise band to increase friction and improve grip.
4. Thumb side stop block made out of self-adhering bandage wrap to prevent the hand from sliding off the tubing.
Looking for Foam Grip Tubing Alternatives?
Foam grip tubing is a go-to solution for modifying handles, utensils, and tools, but it’s not your only option! If you’re searching for alternatives, here are some creative ideas to adapt everyday items while maintaining comfort and functionality:
- Self-fusing silicone tape: Flexible, heat-resistant, and easy to clean, self-fusing silicone wraps can provide a durable grip for handles.
- Self-adhering bandage wrap: Wrap handles with this soft yet grippy material for a quick and adjustable solution. Self-adhering bandage wrap allows you to customize the thickness and shape of your grip support.
- Foam Pipe Insulation: Often found in hardware stores, it’s affordable and can be modified to work like foam tubing.
- Moldable Materials: Moldable Materials like Sugru, Intermorph, and certain clays allow you to create custom grips that harden to fit the hand perfectly.
Foam Grip Tubing Summary
Foam grip tubing is more than just a simple assistive technology tool– it’s a must-have material to improved comfort, grip, and accessibility across a wide range of applications. By exploring innovative uses and customized modifications to these colorful foam tubes, you can unlock their full potential to enhance function and independence with everyday tasks. So why settle for discomfort and inconvenience when you can easily enhance accessibility with foam grip tubing? Get some today!
