Using Tablets for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Post Acquired Brain Injury

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Brain Injury; Stroke
• Interventions: Other: GRASP self exercise; Device: Tablet - self exercise

• Registration Number: NCT02136433
• Lead Sponsor: Sheba Medical Center

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of training using novel tablet applications for hand function, compared to traditional hand exercises. In addition, we aim to examine brain plasticity following treatment with the new tablet applications. We hypothesize that training with a tablet would prove to be more effective than traditional exercises. We expect to observe neuroplastic changes in the brain in patients who practiced finger movements using the tablet.

Detailed Description

Not available

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-09-02
• Study Start: 2014-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-05-08
• Study First Posted: 2014-05-13
• Status Verified: 2014-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-09-17
• Last Update Posted: 2014-09-18
• Primary Completion: 2015-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• At least one week post Brain injury or stroke
• Partial ability to open and close their hand (fingers)
• Full function of the hands prior to the injury or event
• Intact or Corrected vision
• Cognitively intact or mild impairment

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Exclusion Criteria

• Other neurological conditions besides the brain injury or stroke
• Orthopedic conditions of the upper extremity

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
GRASP self exercise	GRASP self exercise	GRASP (Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program)(Harris et al., 2009)is an arm and hand exercise program developed for individuals with stroke with upper extremity impairments GRASP provides a method for patients to undertake a self-directed arm and hand exercise program. The exercises will be taught to the participants and then they will be requested to exercise alone (or with family) everyday for one hour in addition to their regular rehabilitation sessions (Occupational, Physical Therapy, speech). The intervention will include 15-20 sessions of 60 minutes of self-training
Tablet - self exercise	Tablet - self exercise	Existing tablet Apps that encourage finger movement in a fun manner while playing a game will be used. The apps will be taught to the participants and then they will be requested to exercise alone (or with family) everyday for one hour in addition to their regular rehabilitation sessions (Occupational, Physical Therapy, speech). The intervention will include 15-20 sessions of 60 minutes of self-training using a tablet.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline in score of the Nine Hole Peg Test	An average of one week before intervention and one week after intervention	To assess dexterity of the affected hand. This test is a assesses dexterity and the time to remove and return nine pegs is measured. The Nine Hole Peg Test is a reliable, valid and responsive measure in clients with stroke

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment	An average of one week before intervention and one week after intervention	To quantify the level of the motor impairment. The participants are required to perform different movements. Each movement is rated 0 (inability to perform) to 2 (full movement). The total score ranges from 0 (no active movements) to 60 points (full movements).
Grip and pinch strength	An average of one week before intervention and one week after intervention	Assessed by the Jamar dynamometer. This is a valid and reliable way to assess grip and pinch strength of individuals recovering from stroke.
Visual Analogue Scale	An average of one week before intervention and one week after intervention	Quantifies the perceived level of pain intensity on a scale of 0-10 cm.
The System Usability Scale	An average of one week after intervention	This questionnaire includes 10 items which provide a global view of subjective assessment of a system's usability.
Change from baseline in score of the Action Research Arm Test	An average of one week before intervention and one week after intervention	Assesses the functional ability of the upper extremity by grasping and moving objects of different size and weight. It has four subtests; grasp, grip, pinch and gross movement. The total score is out of 57 points.
Self - report compliance	An average of one week after intervention	Mean self-training time per day.
Satisfaction Questionnaire	An average of one week after intervention	Developed for the study and will query how much the subjects were satisfied with the self-training intervention they experienced and to what extent they think it can help them to improve their upper extremity function. Responses will be rated on a scale of 1-5.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sheba Medical Center; 🇮🇱 Ramat Gan, Israel