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Biofeedback Gait Training by Target Biomechanical Parameters in the Early Recovery Period of Stroke

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Stroke
Gait Training
Hemiparesis
Biofeedback
Gait, Hemiplegic
Interventions
Other: Biofeedback gait training by biomechanical target parameter
Registration Number
NCT06299943
Lead Sponsor
Federal Center of Cerebrovascular Pathology and Stroke, Russian Federation Ministry of Health
Brief Summary

Single-blinded controlled clinical trial. Biofeedback training courses based on target biomechanical gait parameters are being studied. For targeted biofeedback training, various biomechanical parameters are used: parameters of the gait cycle, EMG or kinematics of joint movements. The number of sessions is 8-11 for each patient. Clinical gain analysis is carried out before and after a course of training. Changes in biomechanical parameters that occurred at the end of the training course are assessed in comparison with those before training, and both statuses (before and after training) are compared with similar gait parameters in a group of healthy adults.

Detailed Description

Walking function disorders are typical for patients after cerebral stroke. A cerebral stroke normally affects one hemisphere and causes a hemiplegic syndrome. The gait of hemiplegic patients has very specific features: reduced walking speed, increased double stance phase, and reduced amplitude of movement in the leg joints. Biofeedback technology (BFB) is currently considered effective and promising for training walking function, including in patients after cerebral stroke. The technology is based on capturing a physiological parameter and presenting it to the patient in a perceivable form, so that the subject can understand its changes and respond appropriately. BFB can be used independently or as part of rehabilitation therapy. Nevertheless, efficiency, as noted by most authors, remains the subject of discussion. This is due to the fact, that at the previous stage of development of these systems, there was no technical capability to use the specific biomechanical gait parameters as targets for training. Therefore, more general parameters-such as walking speed, step frequency, etc.-were and are still used. This circumstance is attributable to the very nature of the main biomechanical gait parameters, which require special means of recording. One of the significant technical difficulties in BFB implementation is the need for accurate and fast registration of the gait parameters in real-time to use them for biofeedback. At the same time, the use of portable sensors for BFB training goals can represent a certain solution to technical problems. In recent years, owing to its important advantages, wearable IMU technology (systems using inertial measurement units) has been widely applied for capturing biomechanical gait parameters. Investigators used a system that was originally developed with our participation for targeted training based on biofeedback according to the biomechanical parameters of gait. The use of inertial technology and artificial intelligence technology has made it possible to use biomechanical parameters of gait (time and general gait parameters, EMG and kinematics of leg's joints) for biofeedback in a very low-cost and practically convenient way. Biofeedback training courses based on target biomechanical gait parameters are being studied. For targeted biofeedback training, various biomechanical parameters are used: parameters of the gait cycle, EMG or kinematics of joint movements. The number of sessions is 8-11 for each patient. Clinical gait analysis is carried out before and after a course of training. Changes in biomechanical parameters that occurred at the end of the training course are assessed in comparison with those before training, and both statuses (before and after training) are compared with similar gait parameters in a group of healthy adults.

Stroke patients participated in the study in Federal Center of Cerebrovascular Pathology and Stroke FMBA in Moscow, Russia. The study was approved by a local ethic committee and followed principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Single-blinded controlled clinical trial. The study involved stroke patients with hemiparesis (no more than 3 points on a scale Rankin). Experimental groups are determined by the target training parameter (time and general gait parameters, EMG and kinematics of leg's joints). One target parameter is using for one group. The number of sessions is 8-11 for each patient during three weeks of hospital stay. The duration of each session for each patient on each training day varies according to his well-being and current exercise tolerance, but does not exceed 30 minutes of training in one session. . Changes in biomechanical parameters that occurred at the end of the training course are assessed in comparison with those before training, and both statuses (before and after training) are compared with similar gait parameters in a group of healthy adults.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age - < 75 years;
  • type of stroke - ischemic;
  • structure of the lesion - cerebral hemisphere;
  • disease type - primary;
  • functional ability to walk for at least 5 minutes without using external means of support;
  • absence of reduced higher mental functions,
  • sensorimotor aphasia,
  • muscle tone in the limbs above 2 points according to Ashworth (Modified Ashworth Scale);
  • no history of orthopedic and neurological pathology; absence of pronounced pain syndrome
Exclusion Criteria
  • Signs of orthostatic hypotension during training,
  • patient desire to withdraw from the study,
  • neurological deficit worsening.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Target Biofeedbak gait trainingBiofeedback gait training by biomechanical target parameterPatients in this group receive, in addition to conventional therapy, biofeedback gait training by selected biomechanical (Staince or single support phase, range of motion at joint or EMG amplitude) gait parameter. Training takes place 8-12 times over three weeks. The duration of each workout varies from 10 to 30 minutes.
Target Biofeedbak gait training-2Biofeedback gait training by biomechanical target parameterPatients in this group receive, in addition to conventional therapy, biofeedback gait training by selected biomechanical (Staince or single support phase, range of motion at joint or EMG amplitude) gait parameter. Training takes place 8-12 times over three weeks. The duration of each workout varies from 10 to 30 minutes.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Knee joint amplitudeChange from baseline at 3 weeks

knee joint range of motion at degree

EMG amplitude of quadriceps femoris muscleChange from baseline at 3 weeks

envelope EMG amplitude of the quadriceps femoris muscle at mkV

EMG amplitude of tibialis anterior muscleChange from baseline at 3 weeks

envelope EMG amplitude of the tibialis anterior muscle at mkV

Gait cycleChange from baseline at 3 weeks

gait cycle duration - at seconds;

Foot clearanceChange from baseline at 3 weeks

foot clearance at centimeters;

Speed of walkingChange from baseline at 3 weeks

walking speed - km/h;

EMG amplitude of gastrocnemus muscleChange from baseline at 3 weeks

envelope EMG amplitude of the gastrocnemus muscle at mkV

EMG amplitude of Hamstring muscleChange from baseline at 3 weeks

envelope EMG amplitude of the hamstring muscle at mkV

Stance phaseChange from baseline at 3 weeks

stance phase at percent of gait cycle duration,

Single support phaseChange from baseline at 3 weeks

single support phase at percent of gait cycle duration

Hip joint amplitudeChange from baseline at 3 weeks

hip joint range of motion at degree

Ankle joint amplitudeChange from baseline at 3 weeks

ankle joint range of motion at degree

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Modified Rankin Scale for Neurologic DisabilityChange from baseline at 3 weeks

Measures the degree of disability or dependence in the daily activities of people who have suffered a stroke or other causes of neurological disability and ranged from 0 (no symptoms) to +6 - dead.

Activities of Daily LivingChange from baseline at 3 weeks

The Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living where 0 is no activity and score 100 is normal activity.

The Medical Research Council Weakness ScaleChange from baseline at 3 weeks

The Medical Research Council Weakness Scale where grades: 0 is paralysis;5 - is normal.

Muscle strengthChange from baseline at 3 weeks

Muscle strength was assessed using the MRC (Medical Research Council Weakness Scale). MRC is a commonly used scale for assessing muscle strength from Grade 5 (normal) to Grade 0 (no visible contraction). Paresis is defined as light at compliance with strength 4 points, moderate - 3 points, pronounced - 2 points, rough - 1 point and with - 0 points.

The Timed Up and Go TestChange from baseline at 3 weeks

Mobility is assessed based on time to complete the test: where \< 10 seconds = normal, \< 30 seconds = walking and balance problems; cannot walk outside alone; requires walking aid.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

FCCerebroPathStroke

🇷🇺

Moscow, Russian Federation

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