A Smartphone Application for a Self-directed Upper Limb Therapy After Stroke

Launched by TAN TOCK SENG HOSPITAL · Jan 3, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new smartphone application designed to help people recover from upper limb difficulties after a stroke. Researchers want to see if using this app is as effective or better than a traditional hardcopy manual for guiding therapy at home. The trial will involve 80 participants who have had a stroke within the last four weeks. They will be divided into two groups: one will use the smartphone app, and the other will follow the hardcopy manual. Throughout the study, their progress will be checked at three different times to see how well they are recovering.

To participate, individuals must have a confirmed stroke diagnosis and be able to engage in tele-rehabilitation. They should also have a certain level of cognitive ability and some movement in their affected arm. However, those with severe pain, certain previous arm issues, or other health concerns may not be eligible. Participants can expect to follow a structured therapy program for four weeks, and their experiences with both the app and manual will be taken into account to determine which method is more helpful for recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of stroke (confirmed by CT/MRI scans)
• • ≤four weeks post-stroke
• • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)\>=21
• • Finger extension Medical Research Council (MRC) \>=1
• • Fugl Meyer Upper Limb score \<60 or NIHSS Motor Arm section score\>=2
• • Potential discharge to home (able to do tele-rehabilitation for review)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Bilateral stroke
• • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)\<21
• • Paretic upper limb numeric pain rating scale (NPRS)\>5
• • Reduced paretic upper limb use prior to stroke episode (e.g. frozen shoulder, fracture, etc)
• • Reduced paretic upper limb use due to orthopaedic problems such as fracture in existing stroke episode
• • Medically unstable
• • Neglect as ascertained by treatment team
• • Severe behavioural disturbance or agitation or epilepsy or untreated depression or psychiatric conditions
• • Pregnancy or lactation states