Upper Limb Mirror Therapy with Bilateral Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation to Improve Upper Limb Functions in Patients with Stroke
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Interventions
- Device: Bilateral Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Bi-TENS)Behavioral: Mirror Therapy (MT)Behavioral: sham-Mirror Therapy (sham-MT)Behavioral: Conventional Rehabilitation Program
- Registration Number
- NCT03631628
- Lead Sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Brief Summary
This study compare the effectiveness of 2 rehabilitation programmes that use (1) MT with Bilateral TENS (Bi-TENS), (2) sham-MT with Bi-TENS (Bi-TENS), respectively, in addition to conventional rehabilitation of standardized upper limb training, in improving upper limb motor functions, activities of daily living, community integration, and quality of life in patients with stroke.
- Detailed Description
The principal aim of the proposed study will be to demonstrate whether MT with Bi-TENS is more effective than sham-MT with Bi-TENS in improving upper limb motor functions, activities of daily living, community integration and quality of life in patients with stroke.
The null hypothesis will be that MT with Bi-TENS is not significantly different from sham-MT with Bi-TENS in improving upper limb motor functions, activities of daily living, community integration, and quality of life in patients with stroke.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 90
- have been diagnosed with ischemic brain injury or intracerebral hemorrhage by MRI or computed tomography within three weeks to 10 years after the first onset of stroke;
- have volitional control of the non-paretic arm, and at least minimal antigravity movement in the shoulder of the paretic arm;
- have at least 5 degrees in wrist extension of the paretic arm in the antigravity position
- are able to score > 6 of 10 of abbreviated Mental Test;
- are able to follow instruction and give informed consent of the study.
- Have any additional medical, cardiovascular and orthopedic condition that would hinder the proper assessment and treatment;
- Use cardiac pacemakers;
- Have receptive dysphasia;
- Have a significant upper limb peripheral neuropathy (e.g., diabetic polyneuropathy);
- Have severe shoulder, elbow, wrist or finger contractures that would preclude a passive range of motions of the arm;
- Have skin allergy that would prevent electrical stimulation;
- Are involved in drug studies or other clinical trials.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description sham-MT+ Bilateral TENS Bilateral Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Bi-TENS) All subjects will undergo 16 sessions of treatment (2 times per week, for 8 weeks). Subjects will receive 1.5 hours rehabilitation program: 30 minutes of sham-MT+bilateral TENS and 1 hour conventional training of standardized upper limb training. MT+ Bilateral TENS Bilateral Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (Bi-TENS) All subjects will undergo 16 sessions of treatment (2 times per week, for 8 weeks). Subjects will receive 1.5 hours rehabilitation program: 30 minutes of MT+bilateral TENS and 1 hour conventional training of standardized upper limb training. MT+ Bilateral TENS Mirror Therapy (MT) All subjects will undergo 16 sessions of treatment (2 times per week, for 8 weeks). Subjects will receive 1.5 hours rehabilitation program: 30 minutes of MT+bilateral TENS and 1 hour conventional training of standardized upper limb training. MT+ Bilateral TENS Conventional Rehabilitation Program All subjects will undergo 16 sessions of treatment (2 times per week, for 8 weeks). Subjects will receive 1.5 hours rehabilitation program: 30 minutes of MT+bilateral TENS and 1 hour conventional training of standardized upper limb training. sham-MT+ Bilateral TENS sham-Mirror Therapy (sham-MT) All subjects will undergo 16 sessions of treatment (2 times per week, for 8 weeks). Subjects will receive 1.5 hours rehabilitation program: 30 minutes of sham-MT+bilateral TENS and 1 hour conventional training of standardized upper limb training. sham-MT+ Bilateral TENS Conventional Rehabilitation Program All subjects will undergo 16 sessions of treatment (2 times per week, for 8 weeks). Subjects will receive 1.5 hours rehabilitation program: 30 minutes of sham-MT+bilateral TENS and 1 hour conventional training of standardized upper limb training.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) - post-training 8 weeks The FMA-UE will be used to evaluate the severity of motor impairment in the paretic upper extremity. The performance of 33 tasks will be assessed using a three-point ordinal scale (0 to 2), with a maximum score of 66. The FMA-UE will assess voluntary movement, reflex activity, grasp, and coordination of the upper extremity, and has a high inter-rater reliability (r=0.99) in patients with stroke. A higher scale score indicates a less severe motor impairment.
Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) - followup 12 weeks The FMA-UE will be used to evaluate the severity of motor impairment in the paretic upper extremity. The performance of 33 tasks will be assessed using a three-point ordinal scale (0 to 2), with a maximum score of 66. The FMA-UE will assess voluntary movement, reflex activity, grasp, and coordination of the upper extremity, and has a high inter-rater reliability (r=0.99) in patients with stroke. A higher scale score indicates a less severe motor impairment.
Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) - midterm 4 weeks Upper limb function will be assessed by the WMFT, which comprises two items of strength-based tasks, and 15 items of function-based tasks. The two strength-based tasks will be measured by weight lift and grip strength. The 15 function-based tasks will be assessed by the time taken to complete each task (in seconds), and the quality rating of the use of the paretic hand in attempting each task (graded 0 to 5). The scores for the 15 tasks will be summed and then averaged to yield the mean functional ability score. The WMFT has a high inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.97) and test-retest reliability for time scores (ICC=0.95). A higher score indicates a better hand function.
Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) - baseline Baseline (0 week) Upper limb function will be assessed by the WMFT, which comprises two items of strength-based tasks, and 15 items of function-based tasks. The two strength-based tasks will be measured by weight lift and grip strength. The 15 function-based tasks will be assessed by the time taken to complete each task (in seconds), and the quality rating of the use of the paretic hand in attempting each task (graded 0 to 5). The scores for the 15 tasks will be summed and then averaged to yield the mean functional ability score. The WMFT has a high inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.97) and test-retest reliability for time scores (ICC=0.95). A higher score indicates a better hand function.
Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) - baseline Baseline (0 week) The FMA-UE will be used to evaluate the severity of motor impairment in the paretic upper extremity. The performance of 33 tasks will be assessed using a three-point ordinal scale (0 to 2), with a maximum score of 66. The FMA-UE will assess voluntary movement, reflex activity, grasp, and coordination of the upper extremity, and has a high inter-rater reliability (r=0.99) in patients with stroke. A higher scale score indicates a less severe motor impairment.
Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) - midterm 4 weeks The FMA-UE will be used to evaluate the severity of motor impairment in the paretic upper extremity. The performance of 33 tasks will be assessed using a three-point ordinal scale (0 to 2), with a maximum score of 66. The FMA-UE will assess voluntary movement, reflex activity, grasp, and coordination of the upper extremity, and has a high inter-rater reliability (r=0.99) in patients with stroke. A higher scale score indicates a less severe motor impairment.
Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) - post-training 8 weeks Upper limb function will be assessed by the WMFT, which comprises two items of strength-based tasks, and 15 items of function-based tasks. The two strength-based tasks will be measured by weight lift and grip strength. The 15 function-based tasks will be assessed by the time taken to complete each task (in seconds), and the quality rating of the use of the paretic hand in attempting each task (graded 0 to 5). The scores for the 15 tasks will be summed and then averaged to yield the mean functional ability score. The WMFT has a high inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.97) and test-retest reliability for time scores (ICC=0.95). A higher score indicates a better hand function.
Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) - followup 12 weeks Upper limb function will be assessed by the WMFT, which comprises two items of strength-based tasks, and 15 items of function-based tasks. The two strength-based tasks will be measured by weight lift and grip strength. The 15 function-based tasks will be assessed by the time taken to complete each task (in seconds), and the quality rating of the use of the paretic hand in attempting each task (graded 0 to 5). The scores for the 15 tasks will be summed and then averaged to yield the mean functional ability score. The WMFT has a high inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.97) and test-retest reliability for time scores (ICC=0.95). A higher score indicates a better hand function.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Grip Strength - baseline Baseline (0 week) Grip strength of both the paretic and intact hands will be measured using the Jamar dynamometer (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) with standardized positioning and instructions recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapist. All subjects will be required to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible for 5 s for three trials. The force generated (in kilograms) in all three trials will be recorded and averaged for data analysis. The measurement of grip strength with the dynamometer has a high test-retest reliability (r=0.88-0.93) and inter-rater reliability (r=0.99).
Grip Strength - post-training 8 weeks Grip strength of both the paretic and intact hands will be measured using the Jamar dynamometer (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) with standardized positioning and instructions recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapist. All subjects will be required to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible for 5 s for three trials. The force generated (in kilograms) in all three trials will be recorded and averaged for data analysis. The measurement of grip strength with the dynamometer has a high test-retest reliability (r=0.88-0.93) and inter-rater reliability (r=0.99).
Grip Strength - followup 12 weeks Grip strength of both the paretic and intact hands will be measured using the Jamar dynamometer (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) with standardized positioning and instructions recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapist. All subjects will be required to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible for 5 s for three trials. The force generated (in kilograms) in all three trials will be recorded and averaged for data analysis. The measurement of grip strength with the dynamometer has a high test-retest reliability (r=0.88-0.93) and inter-rater reliability (r=0.99).
Jacket Test - baseline Baseline (0 week) The Jacket Test will be used to assess the stroke patients' upper limb proficiency in putting on and removing a long-sleeved jacket. The test will be performed in the standing position. The total time will be calculated by stopwatch as the sum of time to put on and take off clothes. The Jacket Test will be tested three times. Three trials of the Jacket Test time will be collected and averaged for data analysis. This test has excellent intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.781 - 1.000) in people with stroke.
Jacket Test - post-training 8 weeks The Jacket Test will be used to assess the stroke patients' upper limb proficiency in putting on and removing a long-sleeved jacket. The test will be performed in the standing position. The total time will be calculated by stopwatch as the sum of time to put on and take off clothes. The Jacket Test will be tested three times. Three trials of the Jacket Test time will be collected and averaged for data analysis. This test has excellent intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.781 - 1.000) in people with stroke.
Motor Activity Log (MAL) - baseline Baseline (0 week) The MAL questionnaire will be used to assess how frequently and how well a person uses the paretic upper limb in 30 activities of daily life in a semi-structured interview. Based on a six-point ordinal scale, subjects will be required to rate (1) the amount of use (AOU), and (2) the quality of movement (QOM) when performing these 30 tasks in real life situations. The AOU and QOM scores will be summed and averaged to yield a single MAL score for each subject. The MAL has high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha \> 0.88), and reasonable construct validity (Spearman r=0.63) in patients with stroke, and the Chinese version of the MAL will be used in this study. A higher score indicates a better use of the affected hand in daily life.
Motor Activity Log (MAL) - midterm 4 weeks The MAL questionnaire will be used to assess how frequently and how well a person uses the paretic upper limb in 30 activities of daily life in a semi-structured interview. Based on a six-point ordinal scale, subjects will be required to rate (1) the amount of use (AOU), and (2) the quality of movement (QOM) when performing these 30 tasks in real life situations. The AOU and QOM scores will be summed and averaged to yield a single MAL score for each subject. The MAL has high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha \> 0.88), and reasonable construct validity (Spearman r=0.63) in patients with stroke, and the Chinese version of the MAL will be used in this study. A higher score indicates a better use of the affected hand in daily life.
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) - baseline Baseline (0 week) SIS will be used to evaluate the health-related quality of life in stroke survivors. The SIS is a 59-item questionnaire which consists of 8 domains: Strength (4 items), memory and thinking (7 items), emotion (9 items), communication (7 items), ADL (10 items), mobility (9 items), hand function (5 items), and participation (8 items). Responses to each item will be based on a 5-point Likert scale that ask participants to score their level of difficulty with a task over the previous 2 weeks. Items from strength, ADL, mobility and hand function domains can be combined to create a composite physical functioning score. Scores for each domain are transformed into a score out of 100 using the formula: \[(mean domain score-1)/(5-1)\]\*100. A higher score is indicative of better self-perceived health. The SIS has demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing health-related QoL.
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) - followup 12 weeks SIS will be used to evaluate the health-related quality of life in stroke survivors. The SIS is a 59-item questionnaire which consists of 8 domains: Strength (4 items), memory and thinking (7 items), emotion (9 items), communication (7 items), ADL (10 items), mobility (9 items), hand function (5 items), and participation (8 items). Responses to each item will be based on a 5-point Likert scale that ask participants to score their level of difficulty with a task over the previous 2 weeks. Items from strength, ADL, mobility and hand function domains can be combined to create a composite physical functioning score. Scores for each domain are transformed into a score out of 100 using the formula: \[(mean domain score-1)/(5-1)\]\*100. A higher score is indicative of better self-perceived health. The SIS has demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing health-related QoL.
Community Integration Questionnaire (CIM) - post-training 8 weeks The level of community integration will be assessed by the Cantonese version of Community Integration Measures (CIM-C). The CIM is a client-centred questionnaire with 10 items; each item solicits a rating on a 5-point scale for a total score from 10 to 50. The CIM-C has demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.84) and reliability (ICC, 0.84). A higher score indicates a higher level of community integration.
SATIS-Stroke - midterm 4 weeks The SATIS-Stroke will be used to evaluate the satisfaction with social participation among people with chronic stroke.The SATIS-Stroke contains 36 items using a four-point scale (0 to 3), with a maximum raw score of 108 (-5.11 to 5.08 in logits). The SATIS-Stroke has excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.959) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.91). A higher score indicates a high satisfaction level with social participation among people with chronic stroke.
Grip Strength - midterm 4 weeks Grip strength of both the paretic and intact hands will be measured using the Jamar dynamometer (Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) with standardized positioning and instructions recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapist. All subjects will be required to squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible for 5 s for three trials. The force generated (in kilograms) in all three trials will be recorded and averaged for data analysis. The measurement of grip strength with the dynamometer has a high test-retest reliability (r=0.88-0.93) and inter-rater reliability (r=0.99).
Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) - midterm 4 weeks The UEFI will be used to evaluate the upper extremity functional recovery among community-dwelling people with chronic stroke. UEFI contains 15 items with five patient-reported difficulty level (0 to 4), with a maximum score of 59. The UEFI has a good test-retest resliability (ICC = 0.87) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.922) in people with chronic stroke. A higher score indicates a higher upper extremity functional recovery in people with chronic stroke.
Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) - followup 12 weeks The UEFI will be used to evaluate the upper extremity functional recovery among community-dwelling people with chronic stroke. UEFI contains 15 items with five patient-reported difficulty level (0 to 4), with a maximum score of 59. The UEFI has a good test-retest resliability (ICC = 0.87) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.922) in people with chronic stroke. A higher score indicates a higher upper extremity functional recovery in people with chronic stroke.
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) - midterm 4 weeks SIS will be used to evaluate the health-related quality of life in stroke survivors. The SIS is a 59-item questionnaire which consists of 8 domains: Strength (4 items), memory and thinking (7 items), emotion (9 items), communication (7 items), ADL (10 items), mobility (9 items), hand function (5 items), and participation (8 items). Responses to each item will be based on a 5-point Likert scale that ask participants to score their level of difficulty with a task over the previous 2 weeks. Items from strength, ADL, mobility and hand function domains can be combined to create a composite physical functioning score. Scores for each domain are transformed into a score out of 100 using the formula: \[(mean domain score-1)/(5-1)\]\*100. A higher score is indicative of better self-perceived health. The SIS has demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing health-related QoL.
SATIS-Stroke- post-training 8 weeks The SATIS-Stroke will be used to evaluate the satisfaction with social participation among people with chronic stroke.The SATIS-Stroke contains 36 items using a four-point scale (0 to 3), with a maximum raw score of 108 (-5.11 to 5.08 in logits). The SATIS-Stroke has excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.959) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.91). A higher score indicates a high satisfaction level with social participation among people with chronic stroke.
Jacket Test - midterm 4 weeks The Jacket Test will be used to assess the stroke patients' upper limb proficiency in putting on and removing a long-sleeved jacket. The test will be performed in the standing position. The total time will be calculated by stopwatch as the sum of time to put on and take off clothes. The Jacket Test will be tested three times. Three trials of the Jacket Test time will be collected and averaged for data analysis. This test has excellent intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.781 - 1.000) in people with stroke.
Jacket Test - followup 12 weeks The Jacket Test will be used to assess the stroke patients' upper limb proficiency in putting on and removing a long-sleeved jacket. The test will be performed in the standing position. The total time will be calculated by stopwatch as the sum of time to put on and take off clothes. The Jacket Test will be tested three times. Three trials of the Jacket Test time will be collected and averaged for data analysis. This test has excellent intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.781 - 1.000) in people with stroke.
Motor Activity Log (MAL) - post-training 8 weeks The MAL questionnaire will be used to assess how frequently and how well a person uses the paretic upper limb in 30 activities of daily life in a semi-structured interview. Based on a six-point ordinal scale, subjects will be required to rate (1) the amount of use (AOU), and (2) the quality of movement (QOM) when performing these 30 tasks in real life situations. The AOU and QOM scores will be summed and averaged to yield a single MAL score for each subject. The MAL has high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha \> 0.88), and reasonable construct validity (Spearman r=0.63) in patients with stroke, and the Chinese version of the MAL will be used in this study. A higher score indicates a better use of the affected hand in daily life.
- Motor Activity Log (MAL) - followup 12 weeks The MAL questionnaire will be used to assess how frequently and how well a person uses the paretic upper limb in 30 activities of daily life in a semi-structured interview. Based on a six-point ordinal scale, subjects will be required to rate (1) the amount of use (AOU), and (2) the quality of movement (QOM) when performing these 30 tasks in real life situations. The AOU and QOM scores will be summed and averaged to yield a single MAL score for each subject. The MAL has high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha \> 0.88), and reasonable construct validity (Spearman r=0.63) in patients with stroke, and the Chinese version of the MAL will be used in this study. A higher score indicates a better use of the affected hand in daily life.
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) - post-training 8 weeks SIS will be used to evaluate the health-related quality of life in stroke survivors. The SIS is a 59-item questionnaire which consists of 8 domains: Strength (4 items), memory and thinking (7 items), emotion (9 items), communication (7 items), ADL (10 items), mobility (9 items), hand function (5 items), and participation (8 items). Responses to each item will be based on a 5-point Likert scale that ask participants to score their level of difficulty with a task over the previous 2 weeks. Items from strength, ADL, mobility and hand function domains can be combined to create a composite physical functioning score. Scores for each domain are transformed into a score out of 100 using the formula: \[(mean domain score-1)/(5-1)\]\*100. A higher score is indicative of better self-perceived health. The SIS has demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing health-related QoL.
Community Integration Questionnaire (CIM) - baseline Baseline (0 week) The level of community integration will be assessed by the Cantonese version of Community Integration Measures (CIM-C). The CIM is a client-centred questionnaire with 10 items; each item solicits a rating on a 5-point scale for a total score from 10 to 50. The CIM-C has demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.84) and reliability (ICC, 0.84). A higher score indicates a higher level of community integration.
Community Integration Questionnaire (CIM) - midterm 4 weeks The level of community integration will be assessed by the Cantonese version of Community Integration Measures (CIM-C). The CIM is a client-centred questionnaire with 10 items; each item solicits a rating on a 5-point scale for a total score from 10 to 50. The CIM-C has demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.84) and reliability (ICC, 0.84). A higher score indicates a higher level of community integration.
SATIS-Stroke - baseline Baseline (0 week) The SATIS-Stroke will be used to evaluate the satisfaction with social participation among people with chronic stroke.The SATIS-Stroke contains 36 items using a four-point scale (0 to 3), with a maximum raw score of 108 (-5.11 to 5.08 in logits). The SATIS-Stroke has excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.959) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.91). A higher score indicates a high satisfaction level with social participation among people with chronic stroke.
Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) - baseline Baseline (0 week) The UEFI will be used to evaluate the upper extremity functional recovery among community-dwelling people with chronic stroke. UEFI contains 15 items with five patient-reported difficulty level (0 to 4), with a maximum score of 59. The UEFI has a good test-retest resliability (ICC = 0.87) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.922) in people with chronic stroke. A higher score indicates a higher upper extremity functional recovery in people with chronic stroke.
Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) - post-training 8 weeks The UEFI will be used to evaluate the upper extremity functional recovery among community-dwelling people with chronic stroke. UEFI contains 15 items with five patient-reported difficulty level (0 to 4), with a maximum score of 59. The UEFI has a good test-retest resliability (ICC = 0.87) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.922) in people with chronic stroke. A higher score indicates a higher upper extremity functional recovery in people with chronic stroke.
Community Integration Questionnaire (CIM) - followup 12 weeks The level of community integration will be assessed by the Cantonese version of Community Integration Measures (CIM-C). The CIM is a client-centred questionnaire with 10 items; each item solicits a rating on a 5-point scale for a total score from 10 to 50. The CIM-C has demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.84) and reliability (ICC, 0.84). A higher score indicates a higher level of community integration.
SATIS-Stroke - followup 12 weeks The SATIS-Stroke will be used to evaluate the satisfaction with social participation among people with chronic stroke.The SATIS-Stroke contains 36 items using a four-point scale (0 to 3), with a maximum raw score of 108 (-5.11 to 5.08 in logits). The SATIS-Stroke has excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.959) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.91). A higher score indicates a high satisfaction level with social participation among people with chronic stroke.
Trial Locations
- Locations (2)
Shatin Hospital
🇭🇰Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
🇭🇰Hong Kong, Hong Kong