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Prognosis and Diagnosis of Spasticity in Acute-post Stroke Patients

Conditions
Stroke, Ischemic
Stroke, Acute
Spasticity as Sequela of Stroke
Stroke Hemorrhagic
Registration Number
NCT05179473
Lead Sponsor
McGill University
Brief Summary

Spasticity, or greater muscle resistance, is a major disabling condition following stroke. Recovery of lost motor function in patients with stroke may be affected by spasticity, which most commonly develops in elbow and ankle muscles. However, despite its clinical relevance, the natural development of spasticity over the first 3 months after stroke is not clearly understood. Indeed, common clinical measures of spasticity such as the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) do not take into account the neurophysiological origin of spasticity and lack reliability and objectivity.

The objective of this study is to examine the natural history of the development of spasticity among patients with stroke over the first 3 months using a new neurophysiological measure (TSRT, the tonic stretch reflex threshold angle) and its velocity sensitivity (mu) in comparison to MAS and other common clinical tests. In addition, detailed brain imaging will be used to understand the relationship between damage to brain regions relevant to the development of spasticity and TSRT/mu values.

It is hypothesized that 1) TSRT/mu will indicate the presence of spasticity earlier than MAS/clinical tests; 2) TSRT/mu measures will be more closely related to motor impairments and activity limitations than MAS; 3) the lesion severity (identified by imaging) will be related to the change in TSRT/mu values.

Outcomes will be measured in a pilot cohort of 12 patients hospitalized for first-ever stroke. Measurements will be taken at the bedside within the 1st week of the patient's admission and will be done once per week for 12 weeks with a follow-up at week 16. Brain Imaging will be done around the 6th week post-stroke.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
12
Inclusion Criteria
  • Acute stroke in Middle Cerebral Artery area resulting in hemiparesis.
  • Hemorrhagic or ischemic
  • Medically stable
  • Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Severe cognitive disorders
  • Ataxia

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
TSRTup to 16 weeks

Tonic stretch reflex threshold measured in the elbow flexors or ankle plantarflexors

Muup to 16 weeks

Velocity sensitivity of the TSRT

Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)up to 16 weeks

Measure of the increase of muscle resistance to stretch felt by examiner in the elbow flexors or ankle plantarflexors

Reflexesup to 16 weeks

Measured in the elbow flexors or ankle plantarflexors

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Berg Balance Scaleup to 16 weeks

Measure of balance in standing

Box and Blocks Test (BBT)up to 16 weeks

Number of blocks moved by the more-affected arm compared to the less-affected arm

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)up to 16 weeks

Measured in elbow or ankle for flexion and extension

Semmes-Weinstein filamentsup to 16 weeks

Measure of the sensory threshold in index and thumb or first toe and middle-plantar surface of the foot

Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Limb/Lower Limb (FMA - UL/LL)up to 16 weeks

Assessment of motor function, balance, sensation and joint function in the upper and lower limb

Timed Up and Go (TUG)up to 16 weeks

Activity measure of whole body function

Active Range of Motion (AROM)up to 16 weeks

Measured in elbow or ankle for flexion and extension

Maximal Voluntary Force (MVF)up to 16 weeks

Measured in the elbow flexors and extensors, and in the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Jewish General Hospital

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

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