Finger Individuation Training With a Training Device Versus Conventional Rehabilitation for Writer's Cramp

Not Applicable

Terminated

• Conditions: Dystonic Disorders
• Interventions: Other: Conventional physiotherapy; Device: Finger Force Manipulandum

• Registration Number: NCT02882334
• Lead Sponsor: Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild

Brief Summary

Writer's cramp (WC) is a focal dystonia characterized by abnormal movements and postures during writing. Limited finger independence during writing manifests as difficulty suppressing unwanted activations of neighbouring non task-relevant fingers. WC patients also have difficulty in fine control of grip force. However, some previous studies indicate positive effects of individual finger movement training in WC although these studies lacked enhanced visual feedback of activations in 'stationary' fingers. The investigators have recently developed the Finger Force Manipulandum which quantifies the forces applied by the fingers in different tasks. This method is sensitive for detection and quantification of small unwanted contractions in non-active ('stationary') fingers. Forces in 'stationary' fingers can be displayed on-line providing enhanced feedback on independence of finger movements. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of finger individuation training using the FFM to improve symptoms in WC patients.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2016-08-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-08-26
• Study First Posted: 2016-08-29
• Study Start: 2016-11-08
• Primary Completion: 2020-12
• Study Completion: 2020-12
• Status Verified: 2021-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-07-16
• Last Update Posted: 2021-07-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: TERMINATED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 26

Inclusion Criteria

• writer's cramp (diagnostic confirmed by a neurologist specialized in movement disorders
• handwriting speed < 140 letters per minute
• simple or complex writer's cramp
• scholarship in French language
• absence of treatment by botulinum neurotoxin, or last injection > 3 months
• age > 18 and < 71 years
• informed consent
• medical insurance coverage

Exclusion Criteria

• writer's cramp with no impact on writing
• writing tremor
• other neurological disease with effect on writing
• pain or traumatism of the limb used for writing, requiring medical or surgical treatment in the last preceding months
• participation in another research with a potential impact on evaluation criteria
• pregnant or breast feeding patient
• patient under judiciary protection

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
control	Conventional physiotherapy	conventional physiotherapy
Finger individuation training	Finger Force Manipulandum	Finger Force Manipulandum

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
change in writing speed after rehabilitation	Change from baseline writing speed at week 8	number of letters correctly copied in 60 seconds

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild; 🇫🇷 Paris, France