Gerilynn Gobuyan, OTSTouro University Nevada

Limited treatment strategies for patients with decrease arm/hand function

Inability to integrate the arm/hand during functional tasks

Major road block in neuro rehab treatments

Large percentage of neuro patients are unable to participate in current treatment programs, such as CIMT

To assist in decreasing compensatory movement patterns during functional activities

REASON FOR DEVELOPMENT

Individuals with stroke, CP, TBI, SCI

Volitionally-based, task-oriented drills

Involved hand and arm are kept in a functional position

Early initiation of functional grasp and release activities with involved UE

Exercises isolated muscle groups

DYNAMIC SOLUTIONS FOR DYNAMIC PEOPLE

Client must show: 35° active wrist

extension with MCPs, PIPs and DIPs in neutral

Should be able to tolerate splint for 6-8 hours

Purpose: Prevent contractures and minimize soft tissue shortening

SAEBOSTRETCH

Dynamic resting hand splint

Low-load, long-duration stretch (6-8 hours/day)

Dynamic energy restoring hand plate

3 interchangeable hand pieces, each with different resistance grades

Dynamic resting hand splint

Low-load, long-duration stretch (6-8 hours/day)

Dynamic energy restoring hand plate

3 interchangeable hand pieces, each with diff erent resistance grades

Purpose: Prevent contractures and minimize soft tissue shortening

SAEBOSTRETCH

Minimum 15° active shoulder movement in any plane

Minimum 15° active elbow flexion

¼ range of active finger flexion (25% of a closed fist)

Passively position wrist to 15° of extension with fingers straight

Optimal – 35°

Some ability to pick up objects with the device

Patients are NOT required to extend wrist or open fingers independently

*If the client is an inpatient, there are no active shoulder or elbow movement requirements.

MOVEMENT CRITERIA FOR SAEBOFLEX AND SAEBOREACH

Incorporates hand function while supporting the weakened wrist, hand, and fingers

Custom fabricated, completely mechanical

Positions the wrist and fingers in extension with the use of an extension spring system

SAEBOFLEX

CandidatesInability to extend

their fingers

Inability to straighten elbow

Individuals that are unable to use their hand functionally or cannot open or extend their fingers actively

GoalAllow patients to

use arm functionally

Decrease learned nonuse

Increase learned use

Reduce spasticity

Improve ROM/strength/control

Improve Q.O.L.

SAEBOFLEX

Combination of SaeboFlex with a custom-fabricated above elbow component

Elbow extension system assists with straightening the elbow during functional reaching

Dynamic custom fabricated (EWHFO) Elbow Wrist Hand Finger Orthosis

Candidates Limited shoulder and elbow

movement Limited wrist and fi nger extension

SAEBOREACH

SAEBOREACH

How it worksThe user:

grasps an object using his/her volitional flexor control

places the objects in the desired location

relaxes flexor tone enough to allow extensor springs to assist in extending the fingers and thumb

Saebo products have been proven to increase the function in a hand exhibiting a neurologically based deficit

SaeboStretch is worn for long periods of time, during times of rest

SaeboFlex and SaeboReach are worn only during functional training with the device

SAEBO

Improving Upper Extremity Motor Recovery Following Neurological Injury, Saebo Course Manual 2012

Photos courtesy of Google Images, 2014

For more information, visitwww.saebo.com

“Rehabilitating Lives. Empowering Individuals.”

REFERENCES