A pilot study of tongue stimulation to improve balance and gait in stroke survivors

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: stroke; Balance impairment; Gait impairment; Stroke - Haemorrhagic; Stroke - Ischaemic

• Registration Number: ACTRN12617000013369
• Lead Sponsor: Royal Melbourne Hospital

Brief Summary

The group who received tongue stimulation plus intensive physiotherapy has significantly greater improvements in balance, than the control group who had intensive physiotherapy only. No significant differences were found for the other outcome measures. There were no adverse effects related to tongue stimulation.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2017-01-05
• Study Completion: 2017-05-12
• Last Update Posted: 26 August 2019

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 10

Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged between 18 and 75 years
2. Diagnosis of stroke
3. Admitted for inpatient rehabilitation at the Royal Park Rehabilitation Centre
4. Have sufficient cognitive capacity to participate in this study (ascertained by the rehabilitation consultant).

Exclusion Criteria

1. Major co-morbidities, especially other neurological disorders, uncontrolled pain, uncontrolled hypertension, brittle diabetes etc.
2. Oral health problems (e.g. gum disease, active cankers etc.) or a history of oral cancer, precluding them from safe participation in the study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
MiniBEST Balance Evaluation Test[2 weeks]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Gait assessments, including The Timed Up-and-Go Test and overground walking while wearing inertial sensors at the wrists, ankles, sternum and waist (Mobility Lab System, APDM, Inc. Portland OR)[2 weeks];COGLOG measure of cognitive function[2 weeks];Depression Anxiety Stress Scale[2 weeks];Canadian Occupational Performance Measure[2 weeks];Adverse events, These may include headaches, clenched jaw leading to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, excessive salivation, or excessive fatigue. Adverse events will be assessed by interviewing the participant at each intervention session.[Throughout 2-week intervention period]