New advancements in orthoses may mean that the Bionic Man isn't science fiction anymore!
Perhaps more so than most areas of medical science, the advancements behind stroke recovery is ever-evolving as quantum leap improvements in our understanding of how the brain works and regenerates advances daily. These improvements translate quickly into patient treatment and outcome in the field of Neurorehabilitation, which focuses on the recovery of stroke patients, as well as patients with brain injuries, MS, Cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease and more. In Neurorehabilitation, the goal is to help an individual to live as independently and normally as can be managed and to improve their quality of life.
This critical rehabilitation is very often a team effort, involving multi-disciplinary medical professionals including PTs, OTs, psychologists, a variety of medical specialists as well as, and perhaps most importantly, the patient themselves and their family members. The brunt of the work must come from the patient - and it is often their will and perseverance that makes the most difference in the ultimate outcome of treatment and recovery. That being said, giving the patient and his or her team of professionals great tools to work with is a critical component. A new entry to the field, the SaeboFlex, is a proving to be a first rate component in the fight to help neurologically-impaired patients regain use of their involved hand.
SaeboFlex is a non-electric orthosis that fits over the involved hand and wrist of the patient and provides extension to the wrist and fingers via a series of adjustable springs. Invented by two occupational therapists (who happen to be brothers), it allows patients to experience functional grasping and releasing of an object almost as soon as they put it on, and is indicated for stroke survivors even with a severe degree of tone in the hand.
Frequently in stroke patients, the involved hand winds up clenched. With the SaeboFlex and its specially designed dynamic springs, the hand and fingers are pulled into an extended position. The patient then uses his or her own muscle power to activate the orthosis and close the fingers to grasp an object. When the patient is ready, the SaeboFlex assists in opening the fingers and the hand to release the object. It sounds simple, and in concept it is, but the design is revolutionary and the results appear to be outstanding. Patients who have used SaeboFlex claim it has been responsible for restoring a great deal of ability to their involved hand, and has proven hugely motivational as well, as they are able to use the orthosis not only during therapy sessions but also at home. Through repetition of this and other exercises, current research in the field of Neurorehabilitation says that the brain can retrain itself and forge new neural pathways, allowing patients to experience faster recovery and improved outcome in certain types of neurological impairment.
It is important to note that the SaeboFlex orthosis can be used early in the treatment of stroke patients, thereby potentially helping to prevent the permanent shortening of the muscle tissue in the hand that is often prevalent in this condition. But surprisingly and encouragingly, SaeboFlex has also been used successfully in patients whose stroke or neurological impairment occurred as much as twenty years in the past, with very positive outcomes for regaining usefulness of the involved hand.
In addition to the device, Saebo offers a training program for their patients which has gotten exceptional reviews from the patients themselves. They also offer a program for OTs and PTs that focuses on helping them to teach their patients how to use the orthosis to their best advantage. According to reviews, the training is heavy on hands-on training with the device, which the participants found to be extremely useful.
Saebo wasn't around back when TV astronaut Steve Austin became the Bionic Man - but if it was, he might have had a completely different and maybe even better outcome!
Nancy Sampson-Bach,
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Hulet Smith, OT
