The Glove Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Generation and Evaluation of Hand Therapy Devices for Epidermolysis Bullosa
IRAS ID
148923
Contact name
Patricia Grocott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Management Directorate, King's College London
Research summary
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is an inherited life-limiting condition. It affects a small population (1 in 17,000 live births; 5,000 individuals in the UK). Dystrophic EB is a severe form in which the skin and internal body linings blister from birth, causing painful wounds and a number of other problems, including hand contractures and finger webbing. People with EB require disproportionately large healthcare resources because of the severity and progressive nature of EB. Hand deformities worsen with age, and surgical correction becomes increasingly difficult.
Clinical goals include delaying the onset and progression of disease-related disability with hand devices: finger wrapping and/or gloves to delay webbing; dressings to heal blisters and post-operative wounds; and splints to delay contractures. Current devices are not tolerated; the resulting webbing and contractures require repeat surgery to maintain hand function.
This project is based upon the experiences of adults with EB from the WEB (Woundcare for Epidermolysis Bullosa) project, which was awarded the 2013 Guardian University Award for ‘outstanding research impact’ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/university-be stpractice). WEB is a collaboration between patients with EB, clinical academics, a clothing designer, manufacturers and electronic data capture companies.
At the patients’ request WEB developed dressing retention garments (Skinnies WEB™) to replace bandages. The patients and clinicians observed the Skinnies gloves aided post-operative recovery from surgery to release webbing, and delayed webbing, extending the time between repeat surgery. Two more devices are required to manage wounds and delay contractures, a dressing glove and splint glove, which are compatible with the web-spacer glove. This project aims to develop a disposable dressing glove lining to aid healing of blisters and postoperative wounds, and determine user requirements and feasibility for splint gloves incorporating sensors to monitor glove performance. A Hand therapy-online service will also be developed enabling clinicians, patients and parents to chart hand deformities, clinical outcomes and costs from birth.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0802
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion