MedPath

Hybrid Robot+FES Stroke Rehabilitation

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Combination Product: Ankle robot training and functional electrical stimulation(FES) group
Combination Product: Ankle robot training group
Registration Number
NCT04550728
Lead Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Brief Summary

The investigators have developed a novel robot-guided stretching under intelligent control and combine it with active movement training, which helped increase joint ROM, reduce spasticity and joint stiffness, increase muscle force output, and improve locomotion. However, for stroke survivors with sensorimotor impairment, their peripheral muscle may not sufficiently be recruited. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), has been shown its advantage to activate the peripheral muscles for people with neurological conditions. The investigators thus make a hybrid robot-FES rehabilitation system, combining the advantage of robot and FES technologies for stroke motor recovery. The investigators further would like to translate the technologies from lab to home-based training. Thus, the investigators will conduct a randomized, controlled, primarily home-based clinical trial using an ankle robot alone or combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to treat sensorimotor and locomotion impairments post-stroke.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 18-85;
  • Able to ambulate at least 10 meters without human assistance, with or without an assistive device
  • ≥ 6 months post stroke;
  • having a caregiver to assist in training at home.
Exclusion Criteria
  • having expressive and receptive aphasia;
  • an inability to follow multi-step commands;
  • enrolled in another lower limb rehabilitation program;
  • having severe pain in the paralyzed lower-limb;
  • >30º ankle plantar flexion contracture;
  • Having implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker, spinal cord, or deep brain stimulator because FES may potentially interfere with their functions.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
FES+robotAnkle robot training and functional electrical stimulation(FES) groupParticipants in this group will have FES during ankle robot training
RobotAnkle robot training groupParticipants in this group will have ankle robot training only
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity12 weeks

The assessment is a measure of lower extremity (LE) motor and sensory impairments post-stroke.

Dorsiflexion active range of motion12 weeks

Joint ankle active range of motion measured by ankle robot.

6 minutes walking test12 weeks

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the distance an individual is able to walk over a total of six minutes on a hard, flat surface. The goal is for the individual to walk as far as possible in six minutes.

Medical thickness of medial gastrocnemius muscle and tibial anterior muscle12 week

B-model ultrasound will be used to scan the muscle thickness, and the image will be further proceeded to measure the muscle thickness with unit in centimetres.

Muscle fiber pennation angle of medial gastrocnemius muscle and tibial anterior muscle12 week

B-model ultrasound will be used to assess the muscle thickness, muscle fiber pennation angle. Elasticity will be measured using ultrasound elastography.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM)12 weeks

Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement Measure (STREAM) provides therapists with a quantitative measurement of motor functioning and basic mobility deficits among patients who had a stroke through the performance of 30 voluntary motor tasks of the upper extremities (UE) and lower extremities (LE).

Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)12 weeks

The Modified Ashworth Scale is the most widely used assessment tool to measure resistance to limb movement in a clinic setting. Scores range from 0-4, with 6 choices. 0 (0) - No increase in muscle tone; 1 (1) - Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch and release or by minimal resistance at the end of the range of motion when the affected part(s) is moved in flexion or extension; 1+ (2) - Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch, followed by minimal resistance throughout the remainder (less than half) of the range of movement (ROM); 2 (3) - More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affect part(s) easily moved; 3 (4) - Considerable increase in muscle tone passive, movement difficult; 4 (5) - Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension.

Timed up-to-go12 weeks

The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) is a simple test used to assess a person's mobility and requires both static and dynamic balance. It uses the time that a person takes to rise from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down.

Brief Balance Evaluation Systems Test(Brief-BESTest)12 weeks

The Brief BESTest is a clinical balance assessment tool. It is an abbreviated version of Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), designed to assess 6 different aspects contributing to postural control in standing and walking.

10-meter walk test (10MWT)12 weeks

The 10 Metre Walk Test is a performance measure used to assess walking speed in metres per second over a short distance. It can be employed to determine functional mobility, gait, and vestibular function.

Stiffness of medial gastrocnemius muscle and tibial anterior muscle.12 weeks

Supersonic shear wave elastography will be used to estimate the shear wave speed(m/s) of the muscles.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Maryland School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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