Evaluation of upper extremity functions with saeboflex orthosis in individuals with stroke: A randomized controlled study

In this study, the effect of Saeboflex on upper extremity motor functions in stroke individuals was investigated from an occupational therapist perspective. The study included 15 individuals aged between 18-65 years, who were followed up in Erdem Hospital, and 30 individuals with stroke as the control group and 15 individuals with stroke as the intervention group. Evaluation scales were applied to the control and intervention groups, while continuing the treatment process in the two groups, task-oriented repetitive training was applied to the intervention group for 12 weeks, twice a week for 45 minutes, and at the end of 3 months, the scales were applied again and the results were compared. As a result of the study, it was observed that the level of independence (81.33±6.93) in performing activities of daily living after the intervention in the group in which the Saeboflex orthosis was applied was significantly higher than the control group (74.33±5.93). It was observed that the post-intervention depression level (7.86±2.79) in the SaeboFlex group was significantly lower than the control group (15.60±3.56). In comparisons between and within groups in terms of upper extremity motor stages, no significant difference was found in terms of motor staging of the upper extremity and hand before and after the intervention (p>0.05). In the SaeboFlex group, the range of motion values in the shoulder, elbow and fingers after the intervention were found to be significantly higher than the control group. It was observed that the value of the sitting position after the intervention in the SaeboFlex applied group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Post-intervention emotion, daily living activities, hand function and perception of the patient's recovery were found to be significantly higher in the SaeboFlex group than in the control group (p<0.05). After the intervention, motor praxis (11.73±0.45), visual motor organization (18.93±2.31) and thinking ability (13.86±1.35) were significantly higher in the SaeboFlex group than the control group (p<0.001). The post-intervention mini mental test scores (26.53±1.24) in the SaeboFlex group were found to be significantly higher than the control group (25.40±1.12) (p<0.05). Motivation for activity-role (7.46±1.30), activity-role pattern (7.00±1.55), process skills (7.40±1.68), motor skills (8.06±1.43) and environment dimensions (7.00±1.30) in the SaeboFlex group after the intervention. scores are significantly higher than the control group. When the scores obtained from the arm movement research test before and after the intervention in the Saeboflex group were examined, it was seen that the post-intervention scores were significantly higher. As a result, it has been observed that the SaeboFlex orthosis provides significant improvement in upper extremity motor functions in stroke patients. This study is important in that it is a first in Turkey. These findings serve as a precedent for future research and would be useful in conducting similar studies on the effectiveness of larger sample sizes, which also examine the difficulties in using the device.