SAEBOFLEX®
Rehabilitation Treatment Technique for Stroke Survivors Maximizes use of Hand and Arm Function

Introduction

For many stroke survivors, common activities like holding a pen, sewing on a button or even raking the yard can be next to impossible. However, a new revolutionary rehabilitation device is helping people from all walks of life reclaim their independence. This new program:

• Gives stroke patients the ability to use their affected hand in therapy.
• Helps patients with limited shoulder and elbow movement increase hand function and coordination.

SaeboFlex® allows neurologically impaired individuals to practice opening and closing their hand with more efficiency, giving them the possibility of being able to perform activities that require grasp and release. Even individuals who are up to 20 years post neurological injury show improvements in proximal strength and control of their affected arm.

Features

Customized to fit the patient's hand, SaeboFlex® features a spring-loaded system offering a purely mechanical design without any electrical-based features. When properly worn, SaeboFlex® extends the wrist and fingers, enabling the user to grasp an object by voluntarily flexing his or her fingers. The extension spring system then assists the hand in re-opening to release the object.

The orthosis allows patients to perform functional re-training activities that include their affected hand immediately. Combined with the arm training drills, this unilateral training approach is very effective. Since the SaeboFlex® gives patients the ability to use their hands, it can motivate patients to continue therapy throughout the recovery process and deliver positive encouragement - vital to the overall success of the rehabilitation program.

SaeboFlex® is making a life-changing difference to patients. To be eligible to use SaeboFlex®, patients must be able to:

• Stand for 45 minutes.
• Understand and follow directions.
• Communicate and provide feedback.
• Exhibit some active movement in the shoulder and elbow.
• Actively squeeze someone's hand with their fingers.

Patient Success Stories

Indications

• Physical difficulties from stroke (cerebral vascular accident) and other neurological disorders:
  • Hemiparesis
  • Muscle weakness

SaeboFlex-trained Occupational Therapist Esther Burnell adjusts the SaeboFlex® orthosis for her patient Naomi Bouwer.

Naomi Bouwer practices right hand function. She is using the SaeboFlex® functional tone management splint to train the right hand to open and close. This new treatment option allows patients to practice hand function at home and to develop use in a weak nonfunctional arm. Naomi is very proud of being able to release the therapy ball after 9 outpatient visits.