Unsupervised Therapy After Stroke in the Home Setting with a Hand Rehabilitation Device (ReHandyBot)

Launched by SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · Sep 21, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of a robot called the ReHandyBot to help people recover hand function after having a stroke. The goal is to see if patients can safely use this device on their own, first in a rehabilitation clinic and later at home. The study aims to find out how well people can operate the robot independently, what exercises they can do, and how much therapy they are actually able to perform without supervision. Researchers believe that allowing patients to use the ReHandyBot at home could lead to better recovery while making things easier for therapists and the healthcare system.

To participate in this trial, individuals need to be between 18 and 90 years old, have experienced an acute or subacute stroke within the last 12 weeks, and be able to give consent. They should also have some ability to use their limbs, as determined by specific health assessments. If accepted, participants will first learn how to use the robot with the help of therapists. Once they feel comfortable, they can take the device home to continue their rehabilitation independently. This trial offers a promising opportunity for stroke patients to enhance their recovery efforts in a way that fits into their daily lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Informed Consent signed by the subject;
• • female and male patients between 18 and 90 years old;
• • acute/subacute stroke (recruitment within 12 weeks from stroke onset);
• • pre-stroke modified Rankin score ≤ 1;
• • National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥ 1 in at least one of the items regarding motor functions, sensory functions and ataxia;
• • possibility (e.g., enough space) to set up the ReHandyBot at home.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • modified Ashworth Scale \> 2 for one or more of the following muscles: shoulder adductors, forearm pronator and supinator, flexors and extensors of elbow, wrist and fingers;
• • moderate to severe aphasia: Goodglass-Kaplan's scale \< 3;
• • moderate to severe cognitive deficits: levels of cognitive functioning-revised (LCF-R) \< 9;
• • functional impairment of the upper limb due to other pathologies;
• • severe pain in the affected arm: visual analogue scale for pain (VASp) ≥ 5;
• • other pathologies which may interfere with the study;
• • pacemakers and other active implants;
• • after discharge the patient will go to an assisted living facility (e.g., care home).