Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dementia
• Interventions: Other: palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation; Other: standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation

• Registration Number: NCT02925273
• Lead Sponsor: Rowan University

Brief Summary

In this study, the investigators will determine the difference between the two techniques used to elicit the grasp response in patients with frontal lobe dysfunction, primarily in dementia patients versus control patients.

Detailed Description

The goal of this project is to determine the optimal technique to elicit the grasping response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction. The proposed study is to perform two techniques to elicit grasp response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction and observe the presence or absence of the response and prominence of the response on a proposed rating scale. Future goals will be aimed at aiding clinicians in refining their clinical techniques to be more sensitive for diagnosing frontal lobe dysfunctions.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-07
• Study First Submitted: 2016-08-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-10-04
• Study First Posted: 2016-10-05
• Primary Completion: 2018-05-23
• Study Completion: 2018-05-23
• Status Verified: 2019-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-10-24
• Last Update Posted: 2019-10-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1

Inclusion Criteria

1. Ability to sign informed consent or have a surrogate present to sign the consent
2. Age 18 or above
3. Patients are diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or frontal lobe dysfunction
4. Medications are to remain stable during the course of the study except for emergency modifications.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Inability to obtain informed consent from patient or surrogate
2. Unable to follow commands.
3. Physical restrictions (i.e. spasticity of hands/arms, upper extremity amputation)
4. Other comorbidities such as muscular diseases, hepatic encephalopathy, renal failure, down syndrome, NPH, depression, and cerebral palsy.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Standard	palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation	Prospective, grasp techniques will be compared in each patient from the experimental group using a palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation and a standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation on the same patient as the control group
Standard	standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation	Prospective, grasp techniques will be compared in each patient from the experimental group using a palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation and a standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation on the same patient as the control group

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Grasp response	six months	The primary objective of the study will be to determine if a change in the performance of the grasp response will lead to a change in the way the response is elicited. The prominence of the grasp response will be scored on a rating scale

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Frontal lobe release- Palmomental Response	six months	The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The palmomental response will be tested.
Frontal lobe release- Snout Response	six months	The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The snout response will be tested.
Frontal Lobe release- Glabellar Response	six months	The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The glabellar response will be tested.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine; 🇺🇸 Stratford, New Jersey, United States