Sup-ER Protocol RCT

Not Applicable

Terminated

• Conditions: Birth Related Brachial Plexus Injury; Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy
• Interventions: Other: Control; Other: Sup-ER Protocol

• Registration Number: NCT01933438
• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the ability of a supination and external rotation protocol to improve the arm function and anatomy of children with birth related brachial plexus injuries.

Detailed Description

The brachial plexus is a group of 5 nerves from the spinal cord that provide the movement and sensation of an upper extremity. In some difficult deliveries, traction on the shoulder may lead to damage to the brachial plexus and will result in an arm that is paralyzed. This is called 'birth related brachial plexus injury' (BRBPI). This may occur in up to 1/1000 births and the nerves may be injured minimally to severely. About 2/3 of children with this injury will recover to quite functional levels simply by maintaining looseness of joints while their nerves slowly heal. Some children have nerve injuries severe enough that they require surgical reconstruction with nerve grafts and nerve transfers to achieve even adequate function. Even in children with otherwise "good" recovery, the motions of external rotation of the shoulder and supination of the forearm are weaker, later to recover, and often incomplete. More importantly, lack of full motion leads to long term changes in the structure, growth, and posture of the shoulder requiring further musculoskeletal surgery, or a child with permanent deformity or disability.

Any gains in active and passive range of motion during the first year of life may improve these long-term shoulder outcomes. The investigators have instituted a program of early passive repositioning mostly using a custom Sup-ER (Supination and External Rotation) splint during early growth and development to improve arm position and range of motion where ER and Sup are weak. In compliant patients in a pilot study, the speed and strength of recovery of ER and Supination are improved compared to historical controls. It is a novel splint and protocol designed by the investigators. This study is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the use of the Sup-ER protocol in multiple centres over a two year period by assessing the arm function at common time points in recovery. The subjects are randomized to the Sup-ER protocol or the currently accepted standard treatment.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-06
• Study First Submitted: 2013-08-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-08-28
• Study First Posted: 2013-09-02
• Primary Completion: 2014-05
• Study Completion: 2014-05
• Status Verified: 2017-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-11-14
• Last Update Posted: 2017-11-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: TERMINATED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 2

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of brachial plexus injury at birth.
• Significant deficit in external rotation and/or supination of the affected limb based on clinical assessment using the Toronto Active Movement Scale at 6 weeks of age (External Rotation ≤ 2 and/or Supination ≤ 2)
• Tightness in Passive Range of Motion of external rotation: any angle of less than 180°.
• Age 6-8 weeks

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Exclusion Criteria

• Neuromuscular disorder
• Unwillingness or inability to comply with the requirements of the study protocol.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control	Control	Standard treatment
Sup-ER protocol	Sup-ER Protocol	Early shoulder repositioning (Sup-ER Splint)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Toronto Active Movement Scale	1 year of age

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

BC Children's Hospital; 🇨🇦 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada