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N/A N=3 Device Feasibility

Development of a FES Device for Hand Use During Arm Activities Following Stroke

Stroke · Hand Function

Enrolled (actual)
3
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Mar 2024
Primary outcome: Primary: Box and Blocks Test (BBT) Score Across the 12 Weeks of the Intervention, Immediately After Conclusion of Intervention, and 3 Months Post-intervention — 13.74; 21; 19.67 blocks

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
ReIn-Hand device assisted home-based practice (Device)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 21+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
Northwestern University
Primary completion
Mar 2021

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Box and Blocks Test (BBT) Score Across the 12 Weeks of the Intervention, Immediately After Conclusion of Intervention, and 3 Months Post-intervention
13.74; 21; 19.67
SECONDARY
Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment Motor (FMA) Score
31.83; 38; 36.33
SECONDARY
Quantitative Measure of Hand Opening Area and Closing Force
SECONDARY
Sensory Assessment (Stereognosis)
13.83; 12.5; 15.33
SECONDARY
Cutaneous Sensory Touch Threshold Using Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments
4.17; 3.72; 4.24
SECONDARY
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)
21.83; 25; 21
SECONDARY
Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)
29.6; 50; 43
SECONDARY
Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment (CMSA) Hand Subscale
3.5; 4.5; 4
SECONDARY
Revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment: Kinaesthesia Subscale
7.17; 8.5; 7.6

Summary

The goal of the study is to develop an individualized, synergy resistant, portable electromyographic (EMG)-driven functional electrical stimulation (FES) device that allows for Reliable and Intuitive control of hand (ReIn-Hand) opening while using the paretic arm during lifting and reaching. Furthermore, to enable sufficient practice intensity both in the clinic and at home, the investigators propose to develop the ReIn-Hand device with easy-to-use utilities by developing a user-customized forearm/hand orthosis with embedded EMG recording and stimulation electrode. To test the device feasibility, a small clinical trial will be conducted. Information related to the clinical trial will be provided below.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age between 21-80
  • Paresis confined to one side, with substantial motor impairment of the upper limb and some residual voluntary movement (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UEFMA) in the range of 10-40/66, Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment Hand (CMSA\_H) stage of the hand section =24)
  • Capacity to provide informed consent
  • Ability to elevate their limb against gravity up to at least 75 degrees of shoulder flexion and then to generate some active elbow extension
  • Ability to open hand with a thumb-to-index finger distance ≥4 cm, with the assistance of the ReIn-Hand device with the help of a physical therapist
  • Discharged from all forms of physical rehabilitation
  • Intact skin on the hemiparetic arm

Exclusion Criteria

  • Motor or sensory impairment in the non-affected limb
  • Any brainstem and/or cerebellar lesion
  • Severe concurrent medical problems (e.g. cardiorespiratory impairment, uncontrolled hypertension, inflammatory joint disease)
  • History of neurologic disorder other than stroke (Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, peripheral neuropathy)
  • Any acute or chronic painful condition in the upper extremities or spine, indicated by a score ≥5 on a 10-point visual analog scale
  • Using cardiac pacemaker
  • Seizure
  • Severe upper extremity sensory impairment indicated by absent sharp-blunt discrimination on the tactile sensation subscale of the Revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment( the score >=1 on anterior and posterior forearm)
  • Chemo denervation: botulinum toxin injection to any portion of the paretic UE within the last 6 months, or phenol/alcohol injections <12 months before participation
  • Unable to passively attain 90 degrees of shoulder flexion and abduction, measured using a goniometer based on adapted methods
  • Flexion contractures larger than 30 degrees in the elbow, wrist, metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) and interphalangeal joints (IP)
  • Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  • Upper extremity musculoskeletal impairment limiting function prior to stroke.
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03986216). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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