Wearable MCI to Reduce Muscle Co-activation in Acute and Chronic Stroke

Launched by NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · Jan 9, 2018

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new wearable device called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI) that may help improve arm movements for people who have had a stroke. After a stroke, many individuals experience not just weakness but also difficulty coordinating their arm movements, which can be caused by unusual muscle activity. The goal of this study is to see if the MCI can reduce these abnormal muscle patterns by giving feedback on how muscles are used, ultimately helping participants regain better control of their arm movements.

To be part of this trial, participants must be either in the acute stage of their first stroke (within the last 21 days) or have had their first stroke at least six months ago and experience significant motor impairment. Participants should still have some ability to move their shoulder and elbow muscles. Those with certain cognitive or visual impairments, or who are currently participating in other studies, may not be eligible. If selected, participants will use the MCI at home and will receive support throughout the study. This could be an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to improve their arm function after a stroke!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Chronic stroke participants
• • Hemiparesis from first ever stroke at least 6 months prior to screening
• • Severe motor impairment (FMA of 7-30)
• • At least some voluntary shoulder and elbow muscle activation.
• • Acute stroke participants
• • Hemiparesis from first ever stroke within the past 21 days
• • Severe motor impairment (FMA of 3-20), or total Manual Motor Score of 1-8 combined in Shoulder Abduction and Finger Extensors
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Cognitive impairment with at least moderately impaired attention, or unable to follow instructions of the MCI task
• • Visual impairment (such as hemianopia) preventing full view of the screen
• • Anesthesia or neglect in the affected arm, or visual hemineglect (score of 2 on the NIH Stroke Scale Extinction and Inattention subtest).
• • Participation in another study on the affected arm within 6 weeks of enrollment or any pharmacological study
• • Inability to understand or follow commands in English due to aphasia or other reason
• • Diffuse or multifocal infarcts
• • Substantial arm pain preventing participation for 90 minutes a day
• • New spasticity treatment (pharmacological or Botox)