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Recognise Hand app

This app uses graded motor imagery to re-train your brain to correctly identify left and right hand images if you have chronic hand pain.

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Recognise Hand app	By Noigroup
	Features Tracking. Graphs and reporting. Data exports.
Country of origin	Australia
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes (just test results on the app) Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? Yes (The NOI group have a privacy policy on their website, it is not just specific to the app) Require internet access to use? Yes, you need internet access to download the app and export data, some of the testing can be done without internet access Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	The app costs $10.99 to use. There is no free version.
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

If you have chronic pain symptoms you may lose the ability to identify between left and right images of the body part you've injured. This is believed to be due to disruption to motor and sensory pathways. The aim of this app is to re-train your brain to be able to correctly identify whether a picture is of a left or right hand.

The Recognise Hand app has 3 testing elements which are set up like games aimed to improve left- and right-sided discrimination if you have chronic pain symptoms. There are 3 sections:

Left/right discrimination: You're shown pictures of hands/wrists, and you identify whether these are left- or right-sided. You can use the pre-loaded pictures and choose increasing levels of difficulty (including abstract images) or load pictures of your own hands.

Memory game: Matching identical pictures of hands.
Speed match: Matching pictures that are all of the same side of the body.

Additionally, there is a science section to explain the research behind this.

The app has a good reporting section where it summarises your performance on the tests, and you can see how you have been performing over time.

For a complete app description, go to the app website(external link), App Store(external link), Play Store(external link), or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ An easy-to-use app to train graded motor imagery if you have chronic pain related to the hand. ✔ A clear reporting section which shows progress over time. ✔ Ability to progress difficulty of testing.	✘ While the science behind the app is solid, it's poorly explained in the app. When you first open the app, there should be a good explanation as to how the app works, when to use it and for how long, and why you might be using this app (it’s potential benefit). ✘ There's a ‘science’ section that does describe the research, but it’s all written in one big chunk. It could be written in a clearer way to properly explain the journey for app users. Of note, the explanations on the NOI group website felt a lot easier to read than those on the app. ✘ It's also noted that the price point of $10.99 may act as a barrier for some users, when there are other free apps in the market.

PROS

CONS

✔ An easy-to-use app to train graded motor imagery if you have chronic pain related to the hand.

✔ A clear reporting section which shows progress over time.

✔ Ability to progress difficulty of testing.

✘ While the science behind the app is solid, it's poorly explained in the app. When you first open the app, there should be a good explanation as to how the app works, when to use it and for how long, and why you might be using this app (it’s potential benefit).

✘ There's a ‘science’ section that does describe the research, but it’s all written in one big chunk. It could be written in a clearer way to properly explain the journey for app users. Of note, the explanations on the NOI group website felt a lot easier to read than those on the app.

✘ It's also noted that the price point of $10.99 may act as a barrier for some users, when there are other free apps in the market.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Chris Lawrence, Community-based physiotherapist
Date of review: March 2025
Platform: Android
Version: 1.1.2
Comments: The app is good and is backed with research from a very reputable and trustworthy organisation. It's designed for a very specific group of potential users, and the ‘science’ section could be explained a bit better. Aside from that, it's an effective app for users with chronic hand pain.

The evidence behind this app is based on the evidence for graded motor imagery, which is one treatment for pain management. It's recommended that you're given direction by a health professional as to the best treatment approach. There are no safety concerns with using this app, but it may be that for your individual situation, a different approach may be more beneficial.
Safety concerns: The biggest risk is that the app wouldn’t have a benefit on pain levels, but there are no safety concerns.
New Zealand relevance: Yes. This app is relevant to users in Aotearoa New Zealand.
It should be noted that in New Zealand there are Pain Management services(external link) through both Health NZ and funded through ACC. Your GP or health professional can refer you to these services. There's no cost to these programmes.

Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app
Chronic pain | Mamaenga roa
Graded motor imagery apps
Pain management apps

References

Wajon A. Recognise Hands app for graded motor imagery training in chronic pain.(external link) J Physiother. 2014 Jun;60(2):117.
Moseley GL. Is successful rehabilitation of complex regional pain syndrome due to sustained attention to the affected limb? A randomised clinical trial.(external link) Pain. 2005 Mar;114(1-2):54-61.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Recognise Hand app