Ease of Use: IMAK SmartGlove

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     The ArthritisFoundation’s Ease-of-UseCommendation recognizes products proven to make life easier for people whohave arthritis and other physical limitations. These products are independentlytested by experts and evaluated by people with arthritis. I have been asked toreview a number of Ease-of-Use products during May, Arthritis Awareness Monthin the US. My mother, who has osteoarthritis in herhands, is helping by testing some of these products, as well. 
The SmartGlove by IMAK is designed to offer "carpaltunnel support," as well as easing hand fatigue, tendinitis and arthritis.According to the box, it is designed by an orthopedic surgeon. The glove comesoriented to fit your right hand, but can be turned inside out to be used forthe left hand. There is a built-in flexible support splint running along thetop of the glove from knuckles to wrist and something called "massagingErgoBeads" located where your carpal tunnel area is. ErgoBeads are “exceptionallysmooth plastic beads … that … creates a massaging effect to help increase bloodcirculation, promoting healthy muscle tissue." You can freeze the glove,cooling down the beads which is designed to provide "maximum relief"(I assume relief of pain).

To me, this seems like a fabulous idea. The other reviewersin the Ease of Use program have all tried it and it's come back with excellentreviews. I’ve been following them on Twitter where Felicia Fibro mentions the SmartGlove as providing relief for aching wrists when typing, although it tookher a little while to get used to working while wearing the glove. @Cezmayeused it "to get through finals - really reduce swelling."
Again, I relied on my mother for the product testing. Mywrists fused a long time ago and therefore haven't given me much trouble - it'sone of those moments where severe deformity (in this case immobility) isworking for me! Also, thanks to Humira, I don't usually have any swelling. Mymother, on the other hand, has osteoarthritis in her hands and have had carpaltunnel problems (including surgery), so she was a perfect candidate.
Before I passed the glove on to my mother, I tried it onmyself. Despite getting a medium (where I would need a size small), I couldn'tput it on myself. It's tight to put on, which makes sense because it's supposedto provide support and a bit of compression. However, I have very littlestrength in my hands and arms and couldn't pull it on. Of course, I can't puton a pair of knitted store-bought gloves if the cuff is knit tightly, either,which should tell you something about how little strength I have.
 
My mother also had a bit of difficulty pulling it on, butdid manage. Depending on how much pain you have in your fingers, this might bea bit of a barrier to using the glove. Unfortunately, the rest of her reviewwas fairly negative. She felt it was uncomfortable, made it difficult to typeand impossible to use a mouse. She kept it on for an hour and found that it wasso tight around her arm that her hand ended up falling asleep! As well, the narrowpiece of fabric between her thumb and the rest of the hand bothered her a lot. However,we have a theory that her fibromyalgia was to blame. It makes her verysensitive to pressure and it quickly moves from a sense of pressure into aperception of pain when things are too tight.

I think this is one of those cars that can work great for someand not so great for others. Several other reviewers had a very positivereaction, so I think it's worth looking into. If you have problems with wristpain or carpal tunnel issues, give it a try. It might do the trick for you.
This was my last product review for Ease of Use program (atleast for this go around). I’d like to thank The Address Foundation for gettingme this opportunity to try out some pretty nifty products. Both I and my co-reviewerhad a lot of fun. 
Other bloggersinvolved in reviewing Ease-of-Use products are Felicia Fibro, Peachy Pains and Dog in the Dorm: Life withHolden.