Releaf

What it does

Releaf is a stroke rehabilitation device that supports hand recovery through light-guided, finger-specific exercises. It encourages consistent home therapy, helping users rebuild dexterity, confidence, and control in their recovery journey.

Your inspiration

Each year, up to 85% of stroke survivors are discharged from clinical care with hemiparesis and left to navigate recovery alone. Fine motor rehabilitation - especially for hands and fingers - is often left unsupported, despite its essential role in daily life. Recovery at this stage is slow and repetitive, and without guidance or feedback, survivors may lose motivation, hope, and momentum. I was inspired to create Releaf as a way to restore agency - to make recovery feel engaging, achievable, and human again. Because no one should feel abandoned in their healing journey, especially when the smallest movements carry the greatest meaning.

How it works

Releaf is a tactile rehabilitation device that helps stroke survivors restore hand function through personalised, light-guided exercises. Grounded in neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to rewire through repetition - it prompts users to replicate randomised light patterns using four-finger buttons, activated after pressing a central "generate" button with the thumb. This interaction reinforces motor pathways in the affected hand, supporting recovery. The ambidextrous design allows for use in either hand, accommodating the one-sided weakness common after a stroke. Releaf's microelectronics are encased in a durable leaf-shaped shell and covered in a soft silicone sleeve for comfort. Paired with a companion app, the system offers tailored exercise plans, daily check-ins, motivational feedback, and progress tracking. By turning therapy into an engaging daily task, Releaf transforms at-home rehabilitation into a guided, empowering experience.

Design process

Releaf began with extensive research, including literature reviews, competitive analyses, and interviews with neuro physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical designers, caregivers, and representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. I mapped out the rehabilitation journey to identify gaps in home-based fine motor recovery. Early ideation involved sketching hand mobility patterns and exploring interaction models. I prototyped a range of concepts: a microelectronic glove to track motion, a silicone handrest with force sensors to measure grip strength, and capacitive-touch devices for tactile feedback. The final direction emerged through Play-Doh form explorations, leading to CAD models and over 60 3D printed iterations. I tested millimetre-scale refinements, materials, and ergonomics, along with multiple button mechanisms and custom-cast silicone sleeves. I independently coded and soldered the electronics and developed a companion app, starting with low-fidelity wireframes and evolving through iterative UI/UX testing, expert input, and branding integration. Service blueprinting and opportunity mapping supported the design's feasibility and scalability. Every step was grounded in real-world needs and guided by the belief that stroke recovery should feel empowering.

How it is different

Unlike most stroke rehabilitation tools, Releaf is designed specifically for the chronic stage of recovery, when clinical care ends and survivors are left to continue therapy on their own. Existing hospital-grade tools offer measurable feedback but are expensive, inaccessible, and built for clinical environments. On the other end, affordable at-home tools like stress balls lack guidance, motivation, or any feedback at all. Releaf bridges this gap. It combines tactile interactive therapy with real-time feedback in a low-cost, self-guided format. Its form is ergonomic, its exercises are personalised and engaging, and its digital app adds structure, check-ins, and emotional reinforcement. Releaf transforms passive repetition into active progress, bringing the science of neuroplasticity into the hands of users in a way that is affordable, empowering, and designed for everyday life.

Future plans

Releaf is the starting point in exploring how thoughtful, tactile interaction design can support stroke recovery. With further development, there's potential to refine the technology, integrate personalised therapy plans, and collaborate more deeply with clinicians and caregivers. It could grow into a broader system of tools - not just for hand therapy, but also for supporting a wider range of motor, sensory, or cognitive challenges. Future opportunities may include partnerships, pilot studies, and scalable production. The goal is to reimagine rehabilitation as an engaging and empowering experience that evolves with the user's needs.

Awards

ACIDO Rocket Awards 2025 - Health and Wellness Award Winner - Sponsored by Cortex Design. CBOE Disruptive Design Award 2025 (Runner Up). IDSA Student Merit Award 2025 Finalist.