Feasibility of Two New Software Modules for the Rehabilitation of Patients With Neuromuscular Upper Limb Impairments

Withdrawn

• Conditions: Parkinson Disease; Traumatic Brain Injury; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Stroke

• Registration Number: NCT03268304
• Lead Sponsor: Reha Rheinfelden

Brief Summary

Introduction: In the recent past, medical training systems using virtual reality (VR) have been introduced to neurorehabilitation to train motor function deficits in patients. The usage of VR-based training systems is based on the evidence of neuroplasticity, which is responsible for recovery of patients suffering from motor dysfunction. Such systems are increasingly used to encourage purposeful limb movements in a VR environment and its efficacy has been found comparable with conventional therapeutic intervention. VR training systems, e.g. the YouGrabber® (YG), will increasingly also be used at home. Therefore, it is essential to integrate valid and reliable assessment tools to monitor the recovery process.

Objectives: The aim of the clinical study is to evaluate the usability, feasibility and validity of the digital version of the ActionResearchArmTest (d-ARAT) using the YG system as a platform. Additionally, the feasibility and usability of the implementation of two rehabilitation measures that only recently became integral part of neurorehabilitation, e.g. Action Observation (AO) and Motor Imagery (MI), into the YG training software will be evaluated. Patients \& methods: This observational study is designed as a single-arm trial for testing the assessment software including pre- to post rehabilitation comparison of a training involving AO and MI. Therefore, 75 adult patients with Parkinson's disease, MS, Stroke, traumatic brain injury or Guillain-Barré syndrome will be included. 30 out of the 75 patients will take part in the 4-week training on the enhanced VR-based system with a total of 16 training sessions of 45 min each. Primary outcomes will be the score on the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the ARAT as well as the d-ARAT scores. Secondary outcomes will be hand dexterity (Box-and-Block Test), upper limb activities of daily living (CAHAI) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L).

Hypothesis: The study was designed to evaluate the d-ARAT and the training software modules for the YG system. Currently AO and MI specific tasks are being integrated and the ARAT subscales will be implemented on the basis of the redesigned glove equipped with new sensors. The results are expected to give recommendations for necessary modifications. They might also contribute knowledge concerning the application of AO and MI tasks within VR training.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-08-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-08-30
• Study First Posted: 2017-08-31
• Study Start: 2018-11-01
• Status Verified: 2020-04
• Primary Completion: 2020-04-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-04-17
• Last Update Posted: 2020-04-21
• Study Completion: 2020-05-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: WITHDRAWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: Not specified

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with motor function impairments of one or both upper limbs caused by Parkinson's disease, MS, Stroke, traumatic brain injury or Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Able to sit in a normal chair without armrests
• Able to score at least one in the Box and Block Test (BBT)
• Comprehend German
• Informed Consent as documented by signature

Exclusion Criteria

• Wrist-, hand- or finger contractures or an unconsolidated upper limb fracture
• Severe cognitive deficits: Mini-Mental-Status-Test (MMSE) ≤ 20
• Severe spatial-visual disorders, e.g. severe visual neglect
• History of epileptic seizures triggered by visual stimuli (e.g. television, video games) within the last six months
• Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons
• Full score in the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI) assessment
• Brain pacemaker

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
cARAT	17 weeks	Score on the conventional Action Research Arm Test
dARAT	17 weeks	score on the digital ARAT
SUS	15 weeks	System Usability Scale questionnaire

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
EQ-5D-5L	17 weeks	EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire with five-level scale
PGIC	11 weeks	Patient Global Impression of change
BBT	17 weeks	Box and Block Test
CAHAI	17 weeks	Chedoke McMaster Arm and Hand Activity Inventory