MedPath

New Technology for Individualised, Intensive Training of Gait After Stroke- Study II

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Ambulation Difficulty
Hemiparesis
Interventions
Device: Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL)
Other: 2nd control group
Other: 1st control group
Registration Number
NCT02545088
Lead Sponsor
Danderyd Hospital
Brief Summary

The overall purpose of this project is to establish the added value of training with the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) exoskeleton system as part of regular rehabilitation intervention programs after stroke.

The main specific aims are:

(i) to compare potential effects on functioning and disability of gait and mobility training long-term after stroke by comparing A) HAL-training combined with conventional rehabilitation interventions to B) conventional rehabilitation interventions without HAL and to C) no intervention.

Detailed Description

The effectiveness of the interventions will be assessed in terms aspects of body function, walking ability and endurance as well as level of activity in daily living and participation assessed at the end of intervention and at a 6 and 12 months follow-up.

Intensive gait training with HAL is performed 1 session/day, 3 days/week for 6 weeks and each session will not exceed 60 min of effective walking time with HAL. In addition, each session will include conventional gait training that will not exceed 30 min effective training time. To standardize the training procedure, training with HAL is performed on a treadmill and to enable body weight support. Body weight support is used to prevent falls and to unburden the weight of the suit (9 kg). The training program is performed by physiotherapists, trained in the HAL method and the study procedures. At the end of the 6 weeks, the physiotherapist that has been engaged in the patient's conventional training will perform 1-2 home visits to inform/educate the patient and those who are providing assistance to the patient in how the patient can make use of any gains in gait function during activities of daily living.

The 1st control group will receive conventional gait training performed 1 session/day, 3 days/week for 6 weeks that will not exceed 1h 30 min effective training time.

The 2nd control group will not receive an intervention. The conventional gait training is performed according to current best evidence based practice and may include over ground walking with assistance and/or assistant devices as well as the use of a treadmill and body weight support and training of gait function in activities of daily living

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • 1-10 years since stroke onset
  • Able to walk but not independently, i.e. need of manual support or close supervision due to lower extremity paresis, FAC score 2-3 or FAC 4 combined with gait speed <0.8m/s according to 10 meter walk test, which corresponds to limitations in community ambulation (Bowden et al 2008)
  • Ability to understand training instructions as well as written and oral study information and to express informed consent or by proxy
  • Body size compatible with the HAL suit.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Contracture restricting gait movements at any lower limb joint
  • Cardiovascular or other somatic condition incompatible with intensive gait training
  • Severe, contagious infections (e.g. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) or Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase bacteria).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Study group Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL)Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL)-
2nd control group2nd control group-
1st control group1st control group-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in 6 min walk testAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

walking ability and endurance

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Modified Ranking ScaleAssessment at baseline

Interview

2 minutes walk testAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Walking

Fugl Meyer Scale for lower extremitiesAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Sensory and motor function in lower extremities

Modified Ashworth ScaleAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Spasticity

Spasticity measured with Neuroflexor foot moduleAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Spasticity

Berg Balance ScaleAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Balance

10 meters walk testAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Walking

Functional Ambulation CategoriesAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Walking

Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE)Assessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Interview

Montreal Cognitive AssessmentAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention
Hospital anxiety and Depression ScaleAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Interview

Stroke Impact ScaleAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Functioning and disability, Interview

Barthel IndexAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Independence in mobility and personal care

Physical activity in everyday life using SenseWearAssessment at baseline, after 3 weeks of intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Registers physical activity in everyday life

Plasma lipid profileAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Blood test

Objectively quantify the impairment caused by a stroke, using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)Assessment at baseline

Stroke severity

Body Mass IndexAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention
WeightAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention
HeightAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention
Blood pressureAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Registered in everyday life

HbA1cAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Blood test

Perception of the interventionafter 6 weeks of intervention

Interview. Study group using Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) only.

SmokingAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Interview

AlcoholAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

Interview

Drug useAssessment at baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, 6 and 12 month post intervention

From medical records

Health care consumption12 month post intervention

From County Council

Stroke type and localizationAt baseline

From medical records

Dysexecutive QuestionnaireAt baseline

Filled in by significant other

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Danderyd Hospital

🇸🇪

Danderyd, Stockholm, Sweden

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath