Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia

Dementia Clinical Trial

— GRASP  

Official title:

The Effect of Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia or Suspected Frontal Lobe Dysfunction

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02925273
• Other study ID #: GRASP
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 2016
• Est. completion date: May 23, 2018

Study information

• Verified date: October 2019
• Source: Rowan University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

In this study, the investigators will determine the difference between the two techniques used to elicit the grasp response in patients with frontal lobe dysfunction, primarily in dementia patients versus control patients.

Description:

The goal of this project is to determine the optimal technique to elicit the grasping response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction. The proposed study is to perform two techniques to elicit grasp response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction and observe the presence or absence of the response and prominence of the response on a proposed rating scale. Future goals will be aimed at aiding clinicians in refining their clinical techniques to be more sensitive for diagnosing frontal lobe dysfunctions.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 1
• Est. completion date: May 23, 2018
• Est. primary completion date: May 23, 2018
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability to sign informed consent or have a surrogate present to sign the consent

2. Age 18 or above

3. Patients are diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or frontal lobe dysfunction

4. Medications are to remain stable during the course of the study except for emergency modifications.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to obtain informed consent from patient or surrogate

2. Unable to follow commands.

3. Physical restrictions (i.e. spasticity of hands/arms, upper extremity amputation)

4. Other comorbidities such as muscular diseases, hepatic encephalopathy, renal failure, down syndrome, NPH, depression, and cerebral palsy.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Dementia

Intervention

Other:
• palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation
The patient will then be asked to keep the arms at 90 degrees and the researcher will slightly stroke palm and fingers of both hands of the patient simultaneously. After completion of each technique, the presence or absence of the response will be noted. In addition, the prominence of the response on the rating scale will be obtained as explained below. The scaling of the grasp response is as followed: Flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint of the hand Flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand Flexion at the metacarpal-phalangeal joint of the hand
• standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation
The patient will be asked to put their arms at 90 degrees and the researcher will hold one hand at the wrist and dorsum of the palm and lightly stroke the palm and fingers. The patient will be instructed to relax hands and not hold on while doing the grasp and see if the response persists. The same technique will be repeated for the patient's other hand.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine	Stratford	New Jersey

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Rowan University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Grasp response	The primary objective of the study will be to determine if a change in the performance of the grasp response will lead to a change in the way the response is elicited. The prominence of the grasp response will be scored on a rating scale	six months
Secondary	Frontal Lobe release- Glabellar Response	The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The glabellar response will be tested.	six months
Secondary	Frontal lobe release- Palmomental Response	The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The palmomental response will be tested.	six months
Secondary	Frontal lobe release- Snout Response	The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The snout response will be tested.	six months