A BIONIC arm is being used to help patients recover from strokes.

The new upper limb rehabilitation service has been launched at Colchester General Hospital to aid patients who have lost the use of an arm and hand following a stroke.

Part of the service includes the use of a mechanical device called a SaeboFlex, which fits over the fingers, wrist and forearm on the side of the patient’s body which has been affected by a stroke.

It is designed to maximise arm and hand function and supports the weakened wrist, hand and fingers.

The device is aimed at patients who have little recovery of movement in their affected arm.

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists at the hospital say acute stroke patients who have used the SaeboFlex have made significant improvements.

Becs Stuck, senior occupational therapist, said: “When someone suffers an acute stroke, much of the emphasis of their rehabilitation is understandably on getting them up and walking again with less time spent on rehabilitation for the arm and hand.

“Weakness in the arm or hand makes tasks such as eating, washing and dressing difficult or even impossible. The SaeboFlex has allowed our patients with weak arms to participate in repetitive practice, helping to improve their strength and abilities.”

Miss Stuck and Lisa Marshals, who is a senior physiotherapist, have almost completed a feasibility study with seven patients, aged between 39 and 83, into the use of the SaeboFlex, which works by using a spring-loaded finger extension system.

Miss Stuck said: “All of the patients who took part in our own study felt it helped their recovery, although there is a need for more research.”

She added it seemed in some cases the device, which some patients had quipped was a “bionic arm”, had helped to accelerate recovery.

Inpatients and outpatients are now attending classes at the hospital which involve the bionic arm alongside their daily therapy programmes.

The SaeboFlex group is led by Steve Knowling, an associate practitioner in occupational therapy, and occupational therapist Clare Tuffin.

The therapy includes patients using the device to reach, grasp and release a ball repetitively.

Neuro-rehabilitation research suggests the human brain has the ability to reprogramme itself through practice, task-oriented training.

The device is not currently funded by the NHS, but the therapy team has bought their own kit for inpatient use and the Colchester Catalyst Charity has bought three devices at a total cost of £2,600.