Sunita Dulabh

Releaf

Releaf is a home-based stroke rehabilitation device designed to support the recovery of fine motor skills in the hand and fingers. Inspired by the natural process of healing, Releaf offers an intuitive, user-friendly experience that encourages daily engagement through simple, guided interactions. The leaf-shaped device features responsive finger pads that light up in randomized patterns, prompting users to perform specific pinching or pressing motions. These motions help stimulate neuroplasticity—retraining the brain and muscles over time.Designed with empathy and accessibility in mind, Releaf combines physical rehabilitation with motivational feedback and the potential for digital integration via a companion app. Its goal is to empower stroke survivors to regain confidence, independence, and progress at their own pace in the comfort of their home.Insight: This project started from a real curiosity about how people recover after a stroke, and how isolating and repetitive that process can be. I wanted to explore how design could make that experience feel more encouraging—something people actually want to return to every day, not just something they have to do.Idea: ReLeaf is a soft, handheld device that helps stroke survivors practice fine motor movements through simple visual prompts and finger-based exercises. It pairs with an app to track progress, but at its core, it’s about making recovery feel approachable—something tactile, calm, and designed with the user’s comfort in mind.Impact: Rehabilitation after a stroke can feel overwhelming and lonely, especially at home. ReLeaf is meant to make that journey feel a little more human. It gives people a tool that supports them not just physically, but emotionally—something small they can hold onto, literally and figuratively, as they work toward recovery.

“How might we empower patients and non-professional caregivers with the support to make informed decisions while providing affordable, user-friendly rehabilitation tools that track recovery progress at home, thereby reducing the strain on healthcare?”