How to Improve Hand Function in a Flaccid Hand in 5 Easy Steps

Very often, limbs of the upper and lower body are affected following a stroke or neurological incident. For example, little or no hand function could be a symptom of the incident. Without the proper attention and therapeutic intervention, the body slowly loses muscle strength, and function is lost. Many people are left with minimal hand function, and some with limp hands (flaccid). So what is there to do?

Adding Electrical Stimulation Can Help Improve Hand Function

Research has shown that theSaeboGlovecombined with electrical stimulation can improve upper extremity function in subacute stroke patients with little to no hand function. Through the use of these technologies, clients that exhibit no hand movement can immediately obtain functional use very early on. Many clients can go on to make meaningful hand recovery and may no longer require the assistance of these devices long-term.

Watch the video below to see how you can improve hand function in a flaccid hand in just 5 easy steps, using Saebo's innovative rehabilitation technology. The video features a patient with NO finger flexion and NO finger extension prior to applying the Saebo devices. You won't believe the results!

For your convenience, here are five easy steps to improving hand function for stroke and neurological disorders. The equipment that we recommend for this particular example is the SaeboStim Pro, two sizes of SaeboTrodes (2” and 1.25”), and the SaeboGlove.

Step 1:

First, plug the split-ends of the SaeboStim Pro into the connectors of the 1.25” SaeboTrodes. Apply the 1.25” SaeboTrodes to the left and rights sides of your palm. These will contract the Thenar Eminence Group and Hypothenar muscles.

Next, plug the split-ends of the second SaeboStim Pro lead wire into the connectors of the 2” SaeboTrodes. Apply the 2” SaeboTrodes to the long finger flexor muscles in your forearm.

Lastly, connect the lead wires into Channel A and B on the SaeboStim Pro. It does not matter which lead wire goes into which channel.

Step 2:

Apply the SaeboGlove.

Step 3:

Strengthen the finger flexors by triggering stimulation while using the SaeboGlove. Use the FES trigger button on the SaeboStim Pro to trigger contraction of the muscles giving you the ability to perform hand function tasks, like grasp and release. (Program 1 or 2) This will hopefully bring you the physical ability to close your hand.

Step 4:

Continue your home Saebo Training Program by using the SaeboGlove or SaeboFlex to improve your physical ability to grasp and release. When you remove the orthotic after a training session, always perform multiple attempts to grasp and release without the aid of the orthotic. This will help with carryover from the orthotic training and improve hand function.

Step 5:

Continue your training by strengthening the Finger Extensor muscles. Click here to watch a sample video. Initially, you’ll want to start this training with the fingers curled towards your palm. This places the finger tendons on stretch and assists you with initiating the extension movement, thus maximizing the muscle firing.