10 Participants Needed

EMG-Controlled Device for Stroke Rehabilitation

AS
HB
Overseen ByHolly B Henry
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Stroke is a medically relevant problem for the aging population. Individuals with stroke experience a high amount of arm functional deficits despite receiving rehabilitation. Functional deficits can be improved by combining rehabilitation with innovative rehabilitative tools that target the brain mechanisms that guide the recovery early after stroke. This study aims to explore the feasibility of implementing an EMG controlled device in the acute rehabilitation for stroke survivors with severe arm deficit. This study will determine if adding such a technology improve the clinical outcomes for subjects with severe arm impairments beyond the levels achieved by standard care in attempt to increase their chances to independently perform activities of daily living.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes those currently taking medications that lower the threshold for seizures.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment MARK for stroke rehabilitation?

Research shows that using surface electromyography (EMG) to monitor muscle activity can help track recovery and improve rehabilitation for stroke patients. EMG feedback has been shown to enhance control and movement in stroke-affected limbs, suggesting that EMG-controlled devices like MARK could be effective in stroke rehabilitation.12345

Is the EMG-Controlled Device for Stroke Rehabilitation safe for humans?

Research on similar technologies like surface electromyography (sEMG) and MIRA has shown that they are generally safe for use in humans, with no adverse events reported in studies. These technologies are non-invasive and have been used comfortably in clinical settings to monitor muscle activity and aid rehabilitation.12678

How does the EMG-controlled device treatment for stroke rehabilitation differ from other treatments?

The EMG-controlled device for stroke rehabilitation is unique because it uses electromyography (EMG) signals, which are the electrical signals from muscle contractions, to control rehabilitation devices. This allows for personalized and real-time feedback, enabling stroke patients to engage in rehabilitation exercises at home without needing a therapist present, which is different from traditional rehabilitation methods that often require in-person supervision.19101112

Research Team

AS

Ahlam Salameh, PhD MSc

Principal Investigator

Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for veterans over 18 who've had an ischemic stroke within the last 6 months, can understand English, and follow directions. They should be medically stable with a certain level of muscle stiffness in their arm but able to move it enough to wear a device. They must not have severe arm contractures, involuntary movements, or conditions that could interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I had a stroke caused by a clot between 2 days and 6 months ago.
You can consistently and intentionally produce detectable muscle signals in your upper and lower arm with your wrist in a normal or bent position, as detected by the Myopro software.
I can move my elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand well enough to wear a device.
See 5 more

Exclusion Criteria

My family has a history of epilepsy that doesn't respond well to medication.
I have had a stroke that affected my ability to move the opposite side of my body.
I can't lift my arm sideways or in front above shoulder level.
See 15 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive acute rehabilitation with an EMG controlled device for stroke survivors with severe arm deficit

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in arm function and impairment after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • MARK
Trial OverviewThe trial tests if using an EMG controlled device during early rehabilitation helps stroke survivors with severe arm deficits improve more than standard care alone. The goal is to see if this technology increases their ability to perform daily activities independently.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: FeasibilityExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
To explore if the feasibility of adding an EMG controlled device to the acute rehabilitation for stroke subjects with severe arm deficit.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,691
Recruited
3,759,000+

Findings from Research

Using surface electromyography (EMG) in acute care for stroke survivors is feasible and can effectively monitor muscle activity, even in patients with no detectable movement through traditional assessments.
EMG has the potential to enhance recovery tracking and rehabilitation planning, but challenges such as the need for affordable, user-friendly technology and rapid data processing must be addressed to fully realize its benefits in clinical settings.
Muscle Activity After Stroke: Perspectives on Deploying Surface Electromyography in Acute Care.Steele, KM., Papazian, C., Feldner, HA.[2020]
Stroke survivors recognize the potential of surface electromyography (sEMG) technology for aiding recovery, but they express a need for clearer interpretation of the data it provides to enhance its clinical application.
The study highlights that while sEMG can track small progress in recovery, its current design and user interface are seen as cumbersome, indicating a need for improvements to make it more user-friendly and effective in neurorehabilitation.
"It's All Sort of Cool and Interesting…but What Do I Do With It?" A Qualitative Study of Stroke Survivors' Perceptions of Surface Electromyography.Feldner, HA., Papazian, C., Peters, K., et al.[2023]
The electromyography-driven robot system combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) significantly improved finger movement accuracy and muscle activation in five stroke patients, demonstrating its potential for enhancing rehabilitation outcomes.
After a 20-session training program, upper limb function improved in chronic stroke patients, as indicated by better scores on clinical assessments and reduced muscle co-contraction, suggesting that this combined approach effectively aids recovery.
Effects of electromyography-driven robot-aided hand training with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hand control performance after chronic stroke.Rong, W., Tong, KY., Hu, XL., et al.[2022]

References

Muscle Activity After Stroke: Perspectives on Deploying Surface Electromyography in Acute Care. [2020]
"It's All Sort of Cool and Interesting…but What Do I Do With It?" A Qualitative Study of Stroke Survivors' Perceptions of Surface Electromyography. [2023]
Effects of electromyography-driven robot-aided hand training with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hand control performance after chronic stroke. [2022]
Visually displayed EMG feedback: single case studies of hemiplegic upper extremity rehabilitation. [2019]
Using surface electromyography to guide the activation during motor-evoked potential measurement: An activation control method for follow-up studies. [2016]
"Look, Your Muscles Are Firing!": A Qualitative Study of Clinician Perspectives on the Use of Surface Electromyography in Neurorehabilitation. [2023]
Feasibility of using MIRA with adult patients presenting with upper limb motor dysfunction post neurological damage. [2017]
Progress toward motor recovery with active neuromuscular stimulation: muscle activation pattern evidence after a stroke. [2019]
Myoelectric control in neurorehabilitation. [2019]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
High-density myoelectric pattern recognition toward improved stroke rehabilitation. [2016]
Several practical issues toward implementing myoelectric pattern recognition for stroke rehabilitation. [2016]
Development of an EMG-Controlled Knee Exoskeleton to Assist Home Rehabilitation in a Game Context. [2023]