Strength Training in Hospitalized Patients Using the Ghostly App: a Feasibility Study

Launched by VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL · Feb 16, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how effective a strength training program, delivered through an app called Ghostly, can be for certain hospitalized patients. The study is focused on three main groups: stroke patients who have weakness in their legs, older adults who have trouble walking, and patients recovering from COVID-19 or who have spent time in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are experiencing muscle weakness. Researchers want to see if using this app helps improve strength in these patients and will also test a method called blood flow restriction (BFR) to see if it can enhance strength gains.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be hospitalized and meet specific criteria. For stroke patients, they should have had a recent stroke and show some weakness in their leg movements. Older adults need to be at least 65 years old and have difficulty standing up. Patients recovering from COVID-19 or those who have been in the ICU should have very weak leg muscles. Participants can expect to use the Ghostly app for their strength training, and it will be a structured program tailored to their needs. It's important to note that individuals with certain disabilities, metal implants, or who are pregnant cannot take part in this study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria Stroke population:
• • Hospitalized
• • Subacute/acute stroke
• • Score of 19 or lower on the knee and hip movement test of the Motricity Index
• Exclusion Criteria Stroke population:
• • Unable to understand the instructions
• • Other disabilities (muscular, orthopedic, ...)
• • Pregnancy
• • Metal implants
• • Implanted electrical devices
• Inclusion Criteria Elderly:
• • Hospitalized
• • 65+ yrs
• • 14 or less repetitions on the 30 seconds sit-to-stand test
• Exclusion Criteria Elderly:
• • Unable to understand the instructions
• • Other disabilities (muscular, orthopedic, ...)
• • Metal implants
• • Implanted electrical devices
• Inclusion Criteria COVID-19/ICU:
• • Hospitalized
• • Recovering from COVID-19 or ICU patient
• • score of 2 or less for manual muscle testing of the quadriceps muscle in both legs
• Exclusion Criteria COVID-19/ICU:
• • Unable to understand the instructions
• • Other disabilities (muscular, orthopedic, ...)
• • Pregnancy
• • Metal implants
• • Implanted electrical devices