Robot Therapy for Stroke

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Michelle Johnson, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

Must not be taking: Cognitive impairing drugs

Disqualifiers: Severe depression, Excessive pain, Psychiatric disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Today, nearly 37 million people are living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide and 30 to 40% of them will have neurologic complications leading to disability. Our long-term working hypothesis is that an effective solution for increasing rehabilitation access in Botswana and improving functional outcomes of PLHIV having experienced a stroke with or without HIV uses an affordable robot and mobile health technologies to create a cost-effective intervention strategy. For this project, we test the feasibility of affordable robot therapy.

Research Team

Michelle J Johnson, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 in Botswana who've had a stroke and are living with or without HIV. They should have moderate neurological function and cognitive ability, be medically stable to handle therapy, and able to consent. People with severe drug/alcohol abuse, depression, excessive pain, extreme spasticity or paralysis, psychiatric or cardiac issues, prior brain injury or open lesions can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I had a stroke at least 3 months ago and am over 18.

Able to give consent

You need to have pretty good thinking and memory skills according to a specific test.

Exclusion Criteria

I am unable to understand and give consent for treatment.

You have severe depression according to a specific test called Becks Depression Inventory-Fast Screener.

I have total paralysis or cannot move my arms or legs due to stiffness.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Optimization

Optimization of the robot system for the Botswana context, including cost-effectiveness and local resource utilization

Not specified

Treatment

Participants receive therapy using the robot gym system and standard of care

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Robot Therapy

Trial Overview The study is exploring the use of affordable robot-assisted rehabilitation combined with mobile health technologies for people in Botswana who have suffered a stroke associated with HIV. It aims to test if this approach is feasible and effective in improving their functional outcomes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Stroke survivors Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Stroke survivors greater than 18 years of age with hemiplegia with and without HIV/AIDS.

Group II: Low-to-mid functioning HIV/AIDS patients Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Low-to-mid functioning HIV/AIDS patients greater than 18 years of age with stroke co-morbidity.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+