Upper Arm Training With Armeo Spring for Stroke — Armeo Stroke  

Stroke Clinical Trial

Official title: The Effect of Repetitive Upper Arm Training in a Virtual Environment on Upper Extremity Motor Recovery in Chronic-stroke Survivors

Status Active, not recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is:

1. To demonstrate that upper extremity training with the Armeo system with a sensing glove will result in greater functional improvement as measured by clinical functional outcome measures, than Armeo training with grip sensor, in a chronic post-stroke population with impaired upper extremity function.

2. To compare kinematic data following training with grip sensor vs. sensing glove, using data provided by the Armeo system, clinical outcome measures and data derived from the analysis of upper extremity movements using a camera-based motion analysis system.

Clinical Trial Description

By using the Armeo system, the investigators hope to achieve repetitive training of reach, grasp, and release in an engaging environment that can be adapted to individual capabilities, and to enable stroke survivors whose motor weakness may have excluded them from performing repetitive therapy tasks, to participate in this study.The Armeo system is an adjustable arm orthosis that has received FDA 510k exemption. It passively counterbalances the weight of the arm, thereby reducing the effort required by the paretic arm to overcome gravity. The device is able to augment feedback through a virtual environment (i.e. computer games). The tasks presented in the virtual environment are designed to achieve functional movements, i.e. the subject has to perform tasks such as reaching for objects as part of the game.

The ability to reach and grasp is a necessary component of many daily-life functional tasks. Impaired reach and grasp following strokes result in the recruitment of compensatory measures such as increased use of the trunk to transport the hand.

As an end-effector, the grip sensor provides a point of attachment, compared to the glove, in which the hand is free. The posture of the hand, range of movement, joint adaptations, movement pattern and kinematics are likely to be affected by a free or fixed end-effector. In this study, the investigators would like to compare the efficacy of training with both end-effectors. The investigators will also compare efficacy of these 2 end-effectors in high-functioning vs low-functioning hemiparetic subjects. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Stroke

• NCT number: NCT01485354
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: Phase 0
• Start date: December 2008
• Completion date: December 2016