Back to resultsRobotic Brace Incorporating Electromyography for Moderate Affected Arm Impairment After Stroke
Primary Purpose
Hemiparesis
Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Myomo Robotic Arm
RTP Standard Therapy
Sponsored by
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Hemiparesis focused on measuring RTP Only Group, Myomo Only Group, Myomo + RTP Group
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- upper extremity Fugl Meyer score >10-< 25 (i.e., subject must score between (and including) 10 and 25 on the UE FM at the baseline screening appointment only)
- presence of volitionally activated EMG signal from the paretic biceps brachii of at least 5 ųV in amplitude
- stroke experienced > 1 month prior to study enrollment
- a score > 24 on the Folstein Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
- age > 35 < 85
- have experienced one stroke
- discharged from all forms of physical rehabilitation
- Myomo brace fits on affected arm properly and without discomfort (i.e., no red marks or discomfort observed in 10 minutes of use during fitting).
- < 35 years old
- excessive pain in the affected hand, arm or shoulder, as measured by a score > 5 on a 10-point visual analog scale
- excessive spasticity at the affected elbow, as defined as a score of > 4 on the Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale
- currently participating in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies
- apraxia (< 2.5 on the Alexander scale)
- severe sensory loss in affected hand (Nottingham sensory scale at least 75% of normal)
- severe language deficits (score < 2 on NIH Stroke Scale question 9)
- Stroke that occurred in the brainstem (corticospinal tracts are the final pathway for the motor system, and are frequently damaged in brainstem strokes. These individuals are hypothesized to be less likely to benefit from the cortical plasticity seen with exercise therapy, and are therefore excluded from this study.)
- A current medical history of uncontrolled cardiovascular, or pulmonary disease, or other disease that would preclude involvement in a therapeutic treatment (Subjects must be able to tolerate a one-hour upper-extremity therapy session.)
- History of neurological disorder other than stroke (other neurological disorders may affect the upper extremity motor performance of subjects.); (11) Other significant pain or skin irritation in the upper extremity that would be exacerbated if by the use of the brace (While wearing the brace, the system is pressed close to the upper arm and strapped around it. (If the subject suffers from dermal breakdown or other skin conditions that may be aggravated by such a situation, they should not be involved in the study.)
- Substantial contracture of elbow, defined as > 20 degrees of elbow flexion, as measured at the baseline evaluation. (The system cannot work in the presence of reduced range of motion due to contractures.).
Sites / Locations
- The Ohio State University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm Type
Experimental
Experimental
Active Comparator
Arm Label
Experimental: Myomo Only Group
Experimental: Myomo + RTP Group
Active Comparator: RTP Group
Arm Description
Experimental: Myomo Only Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy known as "repetitive task specific practice" (RTP) using only the Myomo robotic device targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week, in 1/2 hour increments, during an 8-week period.
Experimental: Myomo + RTP Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy using both the Myomo robotic device and RTP targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week in 1/2 hour increments, during an 8 week period. These patients engage in activities that emphasize use of their affected arms repetitively, with the device providing assistance as needed with movement through the arm's range of motion. As patients progress, the amount of assistance provided by the device during the activities is reduced.
Active Comparator: RTP Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy using only RTP that is targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week during a 8 week period. In this condition, patients engage in activities that emphasize use of their affected arms repetitively, with the therapist providing assistance as needed with movement through the arm's range of motion. As patients progress, the amount of assistance provided by the therapist during the activities is reduced.
Outcomes
Primary Outcome Measures
Impairment in the Affected Upper Extremity as Measured by the Fugl Meyer Scale.
The upper extremity section of the Fugl-Meyer Scale (FM) will assess whether changes occur in paretic upper extremity motor impairment. The FM has been used extensively in stroke recovery studies, and is highly recommended for "use in clinical trials designed to evaluate changes in motor impairment following stroke." The items on the measure require the subject to perform various movements with the affected upper extremity, and each item is scored from 0 (cannot perform) to 2 (performs normally). Item are then summed for a total score. The total score ranges are 0 to 66, with a higher score representing less upper extremity impairment (and, thus, a relatively "better" score on the measure than a lower score).
Secondary Outcome Measures
Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT)
The Arm Motor Activity Test (AMAT) was the secondary outcome for this study and was used to determine whether changes occur in activity limitation. The AMAT is a 13-item test in which valued activities are rated according to a functional ability scale that examines affected limb use 0 = no use, 1 = very slight use, 2 = slight use, 3 = moderate use, 4 = almost normal use, 5 = normal use;) and a Quality of Movement Scale (0 = no use, 1 = very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = fair, 4 = almost normal, 5 = normal. ). Therefore, the highest score that one can attain on either scale is 65.0 (which would mean that the person scored a perfect score of "5" on each of the thirteen items).
Full Information
1. Study Identification
Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT01654315
Brief Title
Robotic Brace Incorporating Electromyography for Moderate Affected Arm Impairment After Stroke
Official Title
Robotic Brace Incorporating EMG for Moderate Affected Arm Impairment After Stroke
Study Type
Interventional
2. Study Status
Record Verification Date
February 2022
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
March 2012 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
June 2014 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
June 2014 (Actual)
3. Sponsor/Collaborators
Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Ohio State University
4. Oversight
Data Monitoring Committee
No
5. Study Description
Brief Summary
Of the 5.7 million stroke survivors in the United States, up to 80% exhibit significant weakness in one arm (called "hemiparesis"). This devastating impairment undermines performance of valued activities and quality of life. Although rehabilitation is commonly provided, conventional affected arm rehabilitative strategies have negative evidence, or no evidence, supporting their use. Thus, there remains a need for evidence-based rehabilitative strategies for arm hemiparesis.
Newer rehabilitative approaches emphasize repetitive, task-specific practice (RTP) incorporating the affected arm. However, many of these promising regimens require participation in intensive therapies, and most are only efficacious on the least impaired patients. Thus, there remains a need for an efficacious, practical RTP technique to address moderate affected arm hemiparesis.
To address the above shortfalls, one of the investigators team members piloted an innovative brace integrating electromyography (EMG) and robotics. In his case series, 8 stroke patients exhibiting moderate arm impairment successfully participated in RTP, with the brace (called the "Myomo") detecting and augmenting their movement attempts. Aided by the Myomo, participation in the RTP regimen reduced subjects' affected arm impairment and spasticity. The next logical step is to test Myomo + RTP efficacy using randomized controlled methods and an appropriate sample size.
Detailed Description
The primary objective of this small efficacy study is to collect randomized, controlled pilot data estimating clinical effectiveness of this combined, EMG/robotics approach in conjunction with RTP. A unique adjunct will be acquisition of biomechanical data as an outcome measure. Based on pilot data, the central hypothesis is that Myomo therapy with RTP will exhibit significant impairment reductions. We will test the central hypothesis and accomplish the objective by pursuing the following specific aims:
Specific Aim 1: Compare efficacy of Myomo + RTP with RTP only and Myomo only on affected arm impairment. Thirty stroke patients exhibiting moderate affected arm deficits will be randomly assigned to receive: (a) Myomo combined with RTP (Myomo + RTP); (b) RTP only (RTP), which constitutes the most frequently used regimen in clinical environments;2,3 or (c) Myomo therapy only (Myomo). The current study design will determine the additive effect of Myomo training to RTP, while also discerning the relative efficacy of RTP only or Myomo use only. The intended duration of contact will be equivalent across groups.
Affected arm impairment, the primary study outcome, will be measured by the upper extremity section of the Fugl-Meyer Impairment Scale (FM), the primary outcome measure. The FM will be administered by a blinded rater twice before intervention, immediately post-intervention (POST), and two months post-intervention (POST-2) with POST serving as the primary study endpoint. The primary study hypothesis is that subjects in the Myomo + RTP group will exhibit significantly larger FM score changes than Myomo or RTP subjects at POST. It is also hypothesized that these changes will be sustained at POST-2.
Specific Aim 2: Determine the impact of Myomo + RTP on affected arm outcomes. The investigators will administer the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT), to all subjects before intervention, at POST, and at POST-2. When compared to their scores before intervention, it is hypothesized that Myomo + RTP subjects will exhibit significantly larger AMAT score changes,than subjects in the other groups at POST. These differences will be sustained at POST-2.
6. Conditions and Keywords
Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Hemiparesis
Keywords
RTP Only Group, Myomo Only Group, Myomo + RTP Group
7. Study Design
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
ParticipantCare ProviderOutcomes Assessor
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
34 (Actual)
8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions
Arm Title
Experimental: Myomo Only Group
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Experimental: Myomo Only Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy known as "repetitive task specific practice" (RTP) using only the Myomo robotic device targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week, in 1/2 hour increments, during an 8-week period.
Arm Title
Experimental: Myomo + RTP Group
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Experimental: Myomo + RTP Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy using both the Myomo robotic device and RTP targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week in 1/2 hour increments, during an 8 week period. These patients engage in activities that emphasize use of their affected arms repetitively, with the device providing assistance as needed with movement through the arm's range of motion. As patients progress, the amount of assistance provided by the device during the activities is reduced.
Arm Title
Active Comparator: RTP Group
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
Active Comparator: RTP Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy using only RTP that is targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week during a 8 week period. In this condition, patients engage in activities that emphasize use of their affected arms repetitively, with the therapist providing assistance as needed with movement through the arm's range of motion. As patients progress, the amount of assistance provided by the therapist during the activities is reduced.
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
Myomo Robotic Arm
Intervention Description
Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy (repetitive task specific therapy,, also known as "RTP' in this study) using only the Myomo robotic device targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week during a 8 week period. These patients engage in RTP, which consists of a battery of activities that emphasize use of their affected arms repetitively, with the device providing assistance as needed with movement through the arm's range of motion.
Intervention Type
Behavioral
Intervention Name(s)
RTP Standard Therapy
Intervention Description
Active Comparator: RTP Group Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy using only RTP that is targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week during a 8 week period. In this condition, patients engage in activities that emphasize use of their affected arms repetitively, with the therapist providing assistance as needed with movement through the arm's range of motion. As patients progress, the amount of assistance provided by the therapist during the activities is reduced.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Impairment in the Affected Upper Extremity as Measured by the Fugl Meyer Scale.
Description
The upper extremity section of the Fugl-Meyer Scale (FM) will assess whether changes occur in paretic upper extremity motor impairment. The FM has been used extensively in stroke recovery studies, and is highly recommended for "use in clinical trials designed to evaluate changes in motor impairment following stroke." The items on the measure require the subject to perform various movements with the affected upper extremity, and each item is scored from 0 (cannot perform) to 2 (performs normally). Item are then summed for a total score. The total score ranges are 0 to 66, with a higher score representing less upper extremity impairment (and, thus, a relatively "better" score on the measure than a lower score).
Time Frame
Administered twice before the intervention period. These two scores are averaged to provide a composite score that is compared to average score for each group that is collected 1 week after intervention
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT)
Description
The Arm Motor Activity Test (AMAT) was the secondary outcome for this study and was used to determine whether changes occur in activity limitation. The AMAT is a 13-item test in which valued activities are rated according to a functional ability scale that examines affected limb use 0 = no use, 1 = very slight use, 2 = slight use, 3 = moderate use, 4 = almost normal use, 5 = normal use;) and a Quality of Movement Scale (0 = no use, 1 = very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = fair, 4 = almost normal, 5 = normal. ). Therefore, the highest score that one can attain on either scale is 65.0 (which would mean that the person scored a perfect score of "5" on each of the thirteen items).
Time Frame
Administered twice before the intervention period. These two scores are averaged to provide a composite score that is compared to average score for each group that is collected 1 week after intervention
10. Eligibility
Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
35 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
85 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
upper extremity Fugl Meyer score >10-< 25 (i.e., subject must score between (and including) 10 and 25 on the UE FM at the baseline screening appointment only)
presence of volitionally activated EMG signal from the paretic biceps brachii of at least 5 ųV in amplitude
stroke experienced > 1 month prior to study enrollment
a score > 24 on the Folstein Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
age > 35 < 85
have experienced one stroke
discharged from all forms of physical rehabilitation
Myomo brace fits on affected arm properly and without discomfort (i.e., no red marks or discomfort observed in 10 minutes of use during fitting).
< 35 years old
excessive pain in the affected hand, arm or shoulder, as measured by a score > 5 on a 10-point visual analog scale
excessive spasticity at the affected elbow, as defined as a score of > 4 on the Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale
currently participating in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies
apraxia (< 2.5 on the Alexander scale)
severe sensory loss in affected hand (Nottingham sensory scale at least 75% of normal)
severe language deficits (score < 2 on NIH Stroke Scale question 9)
Stroke that occurred in the brainstem (corticospinal tracts are the final pathway for the motor system, and are frequently damaged in brainstem strokes. These individuals are hypothesized to be less likely to benefit from the cortical plasticity seen with exercise therapy, and are therefore excluded from this study.)
A current medical history of uncontrolled cardiovascular, or pulmonary disease, or other disease that would preclude involvement in a therapeutic treatment (Subjects must be able to tolerate a one-hour upper-extremity therapy session.)
History of neurological disorder other than stroke (other neurological disorders may affect the upper extremity motor performance of subjects.); (11) Other significant pain or skin irritation in the upper extremity that would be exacerbated if by the use of the brace (While wearing the brace, the system is pressed close to the upper arm and strapped around it. (If the subject suffers from dermal breakdown or other skin conditions that may be aggravated by such a situation, they should not be involved in the study.)
Substantial contracture of elbow, defined as > 20 degrees of elbow flexion, as measured at the baseline evaluation. (The system cannot work in the presence of reduced range of motion due to contractures.).
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Stephen Page, PhD,M.S.
Organizational Affiliation
Ohio State University
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
The Ohio State University
City
Columbus
State/Province
Ohio
ZIP/Postal Code
43210
Country
United States
12. IPD Sharing Statement
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Robotic Brace Incorporating Electromyography for Moderate Affected Arm Impairment After Stroke
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