Abstract: An apparatus for the objective and quantitative measure of hand function comprising an inflatable bladder 1 in fluid communication with a pressure transducer 3 the output of which is connected to a programmable integrated circuit 9 which accords the change in pressure of the fluid within the bladder and calculates the rate of change of the logarithm of the pressure with respect to time between predetermined lower and upper pressure levels during which the rate of change is substantially linear, and display means 11, 12 and 13 for diplaying said rate of change of logarithmic pressure with respect to time as well as the maximum pressure achieved, the elapsed time at which the predetermined lower and upper pressures and a third predetermined intermediate pressure are attained and the correlation coefficient of said linear portion.

Abstract: A device for measuring the rate at which pressure in a bladder is increased by the action of a joint and/or muscle is disclosed. The device permits the time elapsed between predetermined pressure values to be recorded. Preferably the peak pressure reached is also recorded. Such a device finds application in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, strokes, head injuries with hemipareses and neuro-muscular diseases.