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Action Observation, Imagery and Execution for Stroke Rehabilitation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Behavioral: Action observation, imagery & execution
Behavioral: Control treatment
Behavioral: Action observation
Registration Number
NCT03246139
Lead Sponsor
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Brief Summary

The specific study aims will be:

1. To investigate the short- and long-term treatment effects of action observation, imagery, and execution therapy (AOIE) compared with an action observation therapy (AO) group and a control treatment group as controls on different aspects of outcomes in patients with stroke.

2. To examine the neural mechanisms and changes in cortical neural activity after the interventions in stroke patients.

3. To examine the correlations between AOIE-induced brain activation changes and the clinical efficacy of AOIE.

4. To identify who are the possible good responders to the therapy based on baseline motor function and motor imagery ability of the participants.

Detailed Description

The investigators propose a 3-year randomized controlled trial to (1) investigate the short- and long-term treatment efficacy of AOIE, action observation alone, versus control treatment on clinical outcomes of patients with subacute stroke, (2) examine the neural mechanisms and activation changes after the 3 interventions by using an advanced brain imaging technique, magnetoencephalography (MEG), (3) determine the correlations between neural activation changes and clinical outcomes, and (4) identify who are the good responders to the AOIE therapy. An estimated total of 96 patients with subacute stroke will be recruited in this study. All participants will be randomly assigned to receive 1 of the 3 interventions for 3 weeks (a total of 15 sessions). Clinical outcome measures will be conducted at baseline, immediately after treatment (3 weeks), and at 3 months follow-up. The MEG assessment will be conducted at baseline and immediately after treatment (3 weeks). For the MEG study, The investigators anticipate to enroll 12 to 15 patients in each group to complete neuroimaging evaluation because of the specific eligibility criteria and high costs of MEG. The patients can still participate in the study, receiving rehabilitation therapy and clinical evaluations, even if the participants will not be included in the MEG study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
17
Inclusion Criteria
  • diagnosed as having a unilateral stroke;
  • 1 to 12 months after stroke onset
  • from 20 to 80 years of age
  • a baseline score of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of 20 to 60
  • able to follow the study instructions
  • capable of participating in therapy and assessment sessions.
Exclusion Criteria
  • patients with global or receptive aphasia,
  • severe neglect
  • major medical problems, or comorbidities that influenced UE usage or caused severe pain

Additionally, if patients have no metal implants, no head traumas or neurosurgical operations, and can perform MEG motor tasks, the participants can additionally participate in the MEG assessment.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Action observation, imagery & executionAction observation, imagery & execution-
Control treatmentControl treatment-
Action observationAction observation-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change scores of Modified Rankin Scalebaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The Modified Rankin Scale is used to assess the degree of stroke disability.

Change scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessmentbaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

Change from baseline motor impairment at 3 weeks on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change scores of Box and Block Testbaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The Box and Block Test is a measure of hand dexterity with satisfactory reliability and validity in patients with stroke.

Change scores of Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI)baseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The CAHAI measures the upper-limb motor function after stroke.

Change scores of Movement Imagery Questionnaire, revised second versionbaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The MIQ-RS will be applied to assess patient's ability of motor imagery.

Change scores of Functional Independence Measurebaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The Functional Independence Measure is a frequently used scale to assess basic activities of daily function.

Change scores of physical intensity measured by activity monitorsbaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The accelerometers (ActiGraph) are used to provide an objective measure of the amount of the affected arm in patient's real-life environments. The parameter of average intensity of physical activity (counts/minute) will be reported.

Change scores of energy expenditure measured by activity monitorsbaseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The accelerometers (ActiGraph) are used to provide an objective measure of the amount of the affected arm in patient's real-life environments. The parameter of energy expenditure(Kcal) will be reported.

Change scores of Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) Version 3.0baseline, 3 weeks , 3 months

The Stroke Impact Scale Version 3.0 is a patient-reported outcome to evaluate function, participation, and health-related quality of life of stroke survivors with sound psychometric properties.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)baseline, 3 weeks

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) can directly measure cortical neural activity and detect the oscillatory signals mainly by the changes in the postsynaptic fields of pyramidal cells. The MEG assessment will be conducted at baseline and immediately after treatment (3 weeks).

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital

🇨🇳

Taipei, Taiwan

Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

🇨🇳

Taoyuan City, Taiwan

Lo-Sheng Sanatorium and Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare

🇨🇳

Taoyuan City, Taiwan

Taipei medical university hospital

🇨🇳

Taipei, Taiwan

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