Evidence Based Stroke Recovery Guide for the Arm with Saebo
Amy Bean
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
This handy user guide of the Top 10 interventions for Stroke rehabilitation are supported in the UK and Ireland National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke, the Australian and New Zealand Stroke guidelines and Canadian Stroke Recommendations for Best Practice. A full reference can be found at the bottom of this post.
1.Electrical Stimulation : “NMES” or “FES”
What Is it ?
An electrical current stimulates nerve activity in a targeted muscle to ellicit a muscle contraction. This can help build strength, enhance motor recovery and enable task practice when weak or no movement. If the movement generated is used to help practice a task this would FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) and if used in isolation with no task it is NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation).
Saebo Product to use
SaeboStim One or SaeboStim Pro.
SaeboStim One is wireless and quick and easy to use, particularly for shoulder subluxation. The SaeboStim Pro is ideal for practicing tasks because of its trigger button and 2 channels.
How Much/How often? (supported by current research)
Shoulder Subluxation wear up to 6 hours per day.
Any other muscle group, consider 30 minutes per muscle per day.
2.Mirror Therapy
What is it?
Stimulate motor recovery by reflecting movement of the unaffected hand. The visual input, along with the attempted movement of the affected limb, can stimulate the brain’s neuroplasticity, encouraging the brain to rewire and relearn movement patterns.
Saebo Product to use
How Much/How often? (supported by current research)
15-60 minutes sessions and 5-7 times per week for a 2-8 week programme.
3.Mental Practice /Motor Imagery
What is it?
Mental rehearsal of movements or a task without physically performing them.
Saebo Product
SaeboMIND free downloadable app.
How Much/How often? (supported by current research)
From 10 mins to 1 hour daily. Can be more than once per day. Also consider mentally completing a task 2-3 times prior to actively practicing it.
4.Task Practice
What is it?
Repeated practice of part or complete task, appropriate to your ability, and what is important to you.
Saebo Products
SaeboGlove dynamic hand splint. Also consider the SaeboStim Pro using the trigger button to help control the timing of the stimulation to coordinate movement during the task.
How Much/How often? (supported by current research)
100’s repetitions per day, spaced out during the day. Try and incorporate into your every day routine. If practicing part of a task, ensure you progress onto practicing the whole task for optimum learning.
5.Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
What is it comprised of?
- Intensive graded practice of the weak arm.
- Constraint of the unaffected arm.
- Transfer learned movement into real world environment and complete tasks.
Saebo Products
Consider using our SaeboGlove for a modified version of CIMT if you don’t meet the criteria. Criteria requires a small amount of active wrist, finger and thumb extension with some shoulder activity. The SaeboGlove can assist with for a modified version of CIMT.
How Much/How often?
The original format is a 2 week programme with 6 hours of practice per day whilst wearing a mitt on the affected hand 80% of the waking hours. This is now often modified to 4 hours per day over 2-4 week period.
6.Repetition , Repetition , Repetition … !
What quantity is needed?
100”s repetitions are required per day to make cortical changes or to “re wire” the brain. Consider the average person opens and closes their hands 5000-10,000 times per day.
Saebo Products
Consider the SaeboGlove or SaeboFlex for grasp or release depending on spasticity. The SaeboFlex is designed for hands with moderate to severe spasticity, and the SaeboGlove for mild only. You can also use NMES with the SaeboStim Pro or SaeboStim One for repetition of specific muscle groups and movements. If there is weakness at the shoulder making repetitions challenging, the SaeboMAS Mini de-weighting device can be a helpful tool.
How often?
Repetitions can be spaced out during the day. Once you start counting your reps, you will be surprised at how many you can achieve throughout the whole day.
7.Aerobic Exercise
Why is this important?
Improve fitness and heart health. Lowers blood pressure. Improves strength and balance. Improves mood and quality of life. And it is supported by research e.g. Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada
What exercise can I do?
Join a walking group, gym, or exercise class suitable to your ability. Seek professional guidance to return to exercise if required. If you are less mobile, consider a seated exercise group in the community or online from your own home . Different strokes have an online library of exercises , as do the Stroke Association
Aerobic activity can be introduced at any point during your recovery journey, and can continue for many years later. Try to incoprorate into your daily routine for longer lasting benefits. Gradually increase frequency, time, and intensity as able.
8.Goal Setting
Why is these important?
Set yourself goals to help maintain motivation for your rehab. The journey can be long and will have its ups and downs, goals can help keep you focused and stay the course. They could be set with the help of a therapy team or on your own.
How can Saebo help?
Follow us on social media for tips, inspiration and motivation from Saebo and other Stroke Survivors. We are here for the duration of your journey, not just the start.
How do I stick to them?
Consider a weekly planner, written diary, or activity log. Videos of progress can also help to look back at for motivation. It might also be joining an exercise group or social club with people in a similar position that can help keep you motivated along your journey.
9.Spasticity Management
What is it?
Strategies to reduce spasticity to help movement and recovery which includes tools such as Botulinum Toxin, medication (e.g. Baclofen), NMES and strengthening exercises.
Saebo Products
SaeboStretch and SaeboStim Pro using the Sensory electrical stimulation programme (SES) with our mesh garments.
How often?
SaeboStretch 6 hours per day, ideally over night for a gentle and low load stretch.
SaeboStim Pro using the SES 30 minute programme 1-2 times per day.
10.Manage soft tissue shortening and hand tightness
What is it?
Gentle stretch of muscles crossing the wrist and extending into the fingers to help manage wrist and hand tightness.
Saebo Product
SaeboStretch 6 hours per day, ideally over night for a gentle and low load stretch.
How often?
6 hours per day, ideally over night to enable the hand to be available for therapy and activity during the day.
References:
National Clinical Guideline for Stroke for UK and Ireland
Australian and NZ Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management
Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations
Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada
European Stroke Organisation Guidelines on Motor Rehabilitation
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