Sensory cubes

Sensory cubes are a simple and practical way to train tactile perception and hand function after stroke, TBI, hand injuries, and prolonged immobilization. Their value lies in the fact that they can be used to create hundreds of variations of clear and engaging exercises.

Training with these cubes develops not only strength but also perceptual quality—the ability to differentiate between sensations. This directly impacts everyday skills, such as buttoning buttons, holding a cup, opening a package, and searching for an object in a bag.

We made the sensory cubes ourselves: we started with a basic 3D model and refined it under the guidance of occupational therapists. All but one of the cube's faces were cast to prevent the cube from falling apart during use. We also added a plate to the bottom face that snaps tightly into place, eliminating the need to constantly replace it, and the cube remains solid.

We then 3D printed the cubes in different colors and sizes—4, 6, and 8 cm—to ensure a suitable fit for different tasks and hand capabilities.