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Stroke Rehabilitation Program Based on a Powered Lower Extremity Exoskeleton in Chile

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Device: Robot-assisted training with a lower extremity powered exoskeleton (H3 Exoskeleton, Spain)
Behavioral: Conventional gait rehabilitation
Registration Number
NCT04228224
Lead Sponsor
Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur
Brief Summary

This research will study the effects of a rehabilitation program assisted by a powered lower extremity exoskeleton in patients after stroke. It will compare clinical and biomechanical features of patients at baseline and after intervention. Additionally, it will also examine the use of a brain-computer-interface (BCI) to command movements on the powered lower limb exoskeleton. The findings will be used to improve understanding human-robot interaction, to improve the design of the robotic devices and to improve rehabilitation services.

Detailed Description

Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability in adults in developed countries. Survivors may suffer several neurological deficits or deficiencies, such as hemiparesis, communication disorders, cognitive deficits and visuospatial perception disorders. Hemiplegia is a par loss of hemi-body voluntary motricity following a brain injury, usually resulting in alterations of the locomotor system with persistent disorders of movement and posture. Hemiplegia significantly affects gait performance. Gait recovery is an important objective in the rehabilitation program for stroke patients.The currently available treatment techniques include classical techniques of gait rehabilitation, functional electrical stimulation, electromechanic devices, robotic devices and brain-computer interfaces, among others.The evidence suggest that the combination of different rehabilitation strategies is more effective than conventional rehabilitation techniques alone. Technology-based rehabilitation methods such as robotic devices need more research to demonstrate their effects on gait recovery.

This study will assess the effects of a rehabilitation program with a powered lower extremity exoskeleton in people with stroke. Additionally, it will also examine the use of a brain-computer-interface (BCI) to command movements on the powered lower limb exoskeleton. The findings will be used to improve understanding human-robot interaction, to improve the design of the robotic devices and to improve rehabilitation services.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • unilateral lower extremity paresis
  • haemorrhagic or ischemic stroke
  • a minimum of six months after the acute infarction/onset of the disease
  • full passive range of motion in lower extremity or at least at neutral position
  • be able to stand freely
  • be able to walk with or without aid for at least 20 meters in less than 2 minutes
Exclusion Criteria
  • peripheral nervous system pathology
  • epilepsy
  • weight over 100 kg
  • no cognitive ability to follow the study instructions
  • pregnancy
  • use of implanted devices
  • instable lower extremity joints or fixed contracture

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Robot-assisted RehabilitationRobot-assisted training with a lower extremity powered exoskeleton (H3 Exoskeleton, Spain)Participants will receive Robot-assisted training with a lower extremity powered exoskeleton (H3 Exoskeleton, Spain). Patients will perform lower limb exercises assisted by the device. Training involve 24 sessions, 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks, each lasting about 1 hour.
Conventional Gait RehabilitationConventional gait rehabilitationParticipants in this group will perform conventional gait rehabilitation on a rehabilitation institution with assistance of a physical therapist. Training involve 24 sessions, 2 sessions per week, each session lasting about 1 hour.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Gait Deviation Index Post-Intervention12 weeks

Gait Deviation Index will be calculated for each patient using a 3D VICON infra-red camera system.

Gait Deviation Index BaselineBaseline

Gait Deviation Index will be calculated for each patient using a 3D VICON infra-red camera system.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscle tone measured using modified ashworth scale (MAS) Post-Intervention12 weeks

Tests resistance to passive movement about a joint with varying degrees of velocity. A score of 1 indicates no resistance, and 5 indicates rigidity.

Passive range of motion Post-Intervention12 weeks

Passive range of motion in lower extremities. ROM will be assessed by using an universal goniometer

Gait Speed BaselineBaseline

Gait Speed will be calculated for each patient using a 3D VICON infra-red camera system.

Maximal muscle strength BaselineBaseline

Maximal muscle strength (peak torque, Nm) during maximal voluntary unilateral hip extension-flexion, and hip adduction-abduction (standing), knee extension-flexion (seated), respectively. Both the affected (AF) and non-affected (NA) leg. A hand-held dynamometer will be used for the assessment.

Distance in 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) BaselineBaseline

Measure of the distance a subject covers during an indoor gait on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes, using assistive devices, as necessary. The test consist in a evaluation of functional exercise capacity and is used as a sub-maximal test of aerobic capacity and endurance.

Muscle tone measured using modified ashworth scale (MAS) BaselineBaseline

Tests resistance to passive movement about a joint with varying degrees of velocity. A score of 1 indicates no resistance, and 5 indicates rigidity.

Passive range of motion BaselineBaseline

Passive range of motion in lower extremities. ROM will be assessed by using an universal goniometer

10 meter walk test BaselineBaseline

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.

10 meter walk test Post-Intervention12 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.

Timed Up and Go BaselineBaseline

Measurement of the time in seconds for a person to rise from sitting from a standard arm chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down. The person wears regular footwear and customary walking aid.

Maximal muscle strength Post-Intervention12 weeks

Maximal muscle strength (peak torque, Nm) during maximal voluntary unilateral hip extension-flexion, and hip adduction-abduction (standing), knee extension-flexion (seated), respectively. Both the affected (AF) and non-affected (NA) leg. A hand-held dynamometer will be used for the assessment.

Distance in 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Post-Intervention12 weeks

Measure of the distance a subject covers during an indoor gait on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes, using assistive devices, as necessary. The test consist in a evaluation of functional exercise capacity and is used as a sub-maximal test of aerobic capacity and endurance.

Timed Up and Go Post-Intervention12 weeks

Measurement of the time in seconds for a person to rise from sitting from a standard arm chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down. The person wears regular footwear and customary walking aid.

Gait Speed Post-intervention12 weeks

Gait Speed will be calculated for each patient using a 3D VICON infra-red camera system.

Berg Balance Scale BaselineBaseline

Berg balance scale is used for functional balance. participants are asked to perform 14 tasks frequently used in daily life activities. The highest possible score is 56 points. A higher score indicates better balance.

Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) BaselineBaseline

FAC is a functional walking test that evaluates ambulation ability. This 6-point scale assesses ambulation status by determining how much human support the patient requires when walking, regardless of whether or not they use a personal assistive device.

Berg Balance Scale Post-Intervention12 weeks

Berg balance scale is used for functional balance. participants are asked to perform 14 tasks frequently used in daily life activities. The highest possible score is 56 points. A higher score indicates better balance.

Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) Post-Intervention12 weeks

FAC is a functional walking test that evaluates ambulation ability. This 6-point scale assesses ambulation status by determining how much human support the patient requires when walking, regardless of whether or not they use a personal assistive device.

Patient satisfaction with device: Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology12 weeks

Measured with QUEST scale. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) is a 12-item outcome measure that assesses user satisfaction with two components, Device and Services. Scores of 1 indicate dissatisfaction and scores of 5 indicate high satisfaction

Medical Research Council test (MRC) BaselineBaseline

Manual evaluation of muscle strength. This scale grades muscle power on a scale of 0 to 5 in relation to the maximum expected for that muscle. Grade 0 = no movement is observed, grade 5= muscle contracts normally against full resistance. Six muscles groups are tested at both sides of the body: shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, wrist extension, hip flexion, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion. Maximal total score is 60.

Medical Research Council test (MRC) Post-Intervention12 weeks

Manual evaluation of muscle strength. This scale grades muscle power on a scale of 0 to 5 in relation to the maximum expected for that muscle. Grade 0 = no movement is observed, grade 5= muscle contracts normally against full resistance. Six muscles groups are tested at both sides of the body: shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, wrist extension, hip flexion, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion. Maximal total score is 60.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur

🇨🇱

Punta Arenas, XII Región, Chile

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