Robotic Brace Incorporating Electromyography for Moderate Affected Arm Impairment After Stroke
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 35 - 85 |
| Updated: | 10/14/2017 |
| Start Date: | March 2012 |
| End Date: | June 2014 |
Robotic Brace Incorporating EMG for Moderate Affected Arm Impairment After Stroke
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.
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.
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), the Motor Activity Log
(MAL), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) 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, significantly larger score
changes on the Amount of Use Scale of the MAL, larger score changes on the Quality of
Movement scale of the MAL, and larger SIS score changes, than subjects in the other groups at
POST. These differences will be sustained at POST-2.
Specific Aim 3: Estimate the effect of Myomo + RTP on movement kinematics. Using a kinematic
protocol validated by our team,4 we will conduct movement performance experiments on a subset
of patients from each of the three groups. Specifically, 5 patients from each group (n=15)
will be administered reaching kinematics before intervention and at POST. Kinematic data are
expected to identify specific movement parameters that are affected by stroke, and how each
intervention impacts these movement parameters (e.g. reach path; rate of force production).
Traditional, rater based, outcome measures may be less able to discern subtle motor changes
exhibited by more impaired stroke subjects. Inclusion of kinematic data in our study design
will overcome this potential challenge within our sample.
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), the Motor Activity Log
(MAL), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) 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, significantly larger score
changes on the Amount of Use Scale of the MAL, larger score changes on the Quality of
Movement scale of the MAL, and larger SIS score changes, than subjects in the other groups at
POST. These differences will be sustained at POST-2.
Specific Aim 3: Estimate the effect of Myomo + RTP on movement kinematics. Using a kinematic
protocol validated by our team,4 we will conduct movement performance experiments on a subset
of patients from each of the three groups. Specifically, 5 patients from each group (n=15)
will be administered reaching kinematics before intervention and at POST. Kinematic data are
expected to identify specific movement parameters that are affected by stroke, and how each
intervention impacts these movement parameters (e.g. reach path; rate of force production).
Traditional, rater based, outcome measures may be less able to discern subtle motor changes
exhibited by more impaired stroke subjects. Inclusion of kinematic data in our study design
will overcome this potential challenge within our sample.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. 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)
2. presence of volitionally activated EMG signal from the paretic biceps brachii of at
least 5 ųV in amplitude
3. stroke experienced > 1 month prior to study enrollment
4. a score > 24 on the Folstein Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
5. age > 35 < 85
6. have experienced one stroke
7. discharged from all forms of physical rehabilitation
8. 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).
9. < 35 years old
10. excessive pain in the affected hand, arm or shoulder, as measured by a score > 5 on a
10-point visual analog scale
11. excessive spasticity at the affected elbow, as defined as a score of > 4 on the
Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale
12. currently participating in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies
13. apraxia (< 2.5 on the Alexander scale)
14. severe sensory loss in affected hand (Nottingham sensory scale at least 75% of normal)
15. severe language deficits (score < 2 on NIH Stroke Scale question 9)
16. 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.)
17. 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.)
18. 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.)
19. 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.).
We found this trial at
1
site
Ohio State University The Ohio State University’s main Columbus campus is one of America’s largest...
Click here to add this to my saved trials
