Efficacy of Rehabilitation Using Action Observation and Muscle Stimulation in Post-stroke Patients.

Launched by FONDAZIONE DON CARLO GNOCCHI ONLUS · Sep 20, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new approach to help people recover movement in their arms after having a stroke. It combines two techniques: watching videos of arm movements (called Action Observation Therapy or AOT) and using electrical stimulation to help activate the arm muscles (known as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation or NMES). Researchers want to find out if this combined method is more effective than just watching the movements or observing non-movement videos.

To participate, individuals must be between 50 and 80 years old and have experienced their first stroke within the last six months, resulting in some arm movement difficulties. Participants will attend 15 sessions over six weeks, where they will practice the movements based on the different methods. Before and after these sessions, their arm function will be assessed to see how much they improve. This trial is important because it could lead to better rehabilitation strategies for stroke survivors, helping them regain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age over 18 years;
• • Upper arm motor impairment after unilateral stroke as verified by MRI or CT;
• • Two weeks up to 6 months after stroke;
• • Grading of upper arm motor impairment\>2 at Medical Research Council scale (MRC).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Neurological/orthopedic issues that would interfere with upper limb exercises;
• • Presence of any medical condition that represents a contraindication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination or to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS);
• • Presence of dermatologic issues that will interfere with neuromuscular stimulator;
• • Presence of electronic subcutaneous implants;
• • Presence of peripheral neuropathy;
• • Epilepsy;
• • Pregnancy;
• • Presence of severe cognitive impairment, including language comprehension detected during the neurological evaluation.