Neurorehabilitation Ecosystem for Sustained Therapy (NEST): A Feasibility Study

Launched by HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARI VALL D'HEBRON RESEARCH INSTITUTE · Jan 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Neurorehabilitation Ecosystem for Sustained Therapy (NEST) study is exploring a new way to help stroke patients recover at home. Stroke affects millions of people each year, and many need help with physical and mental rehabilitation. NEST focuses on creating a personalized rehabilitation program using advanced technology, including video games and virtual reality. This program aims to improve patients' arm movement and overall quality of life by providing exercises that they can do at home with the help of a wearable device and a smartphone app.

To participate in this study, individuals must be adults aged 18 to 80 who have experienced their first stroke at least three months prior and have mild to moderate difficulty using their arm. Participants should also be comfortable using smartphones. The trial will assess how easy it is to use the NEST system, how well it helps improve arm movement, and gather feedback from users to make the program even better. If you or someone you know meets these criteria, this could be an exciting opportunity to be part of a study that aims to enhance stroke recovery at home.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients presenting a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least three months prior to study recruitment, confirmed by brain CT or MRI;
• • 2. Mild to moderate motor impairment of the upper extremity (MRC ≥ 2)
• • 3. Age = 18 - 80 years old;
• • 4. Able to sit in a regular chair or wheelchair;
• • 5. Experience with smartphone technology
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. The presence of a condition or abnormality that could compromise the patient's safety or data quality;
• • 2. Severe cognitive impairments that prevent the execution of the experiment (MoCA \< 19). This cut-off point is based on a pilot study (Maier, M. et al., 2019).
• • 3. Arteriovenous malformation or other brain lesions not related to stroke;
• • 4. Previous history of upper limb motor impairment
• • 5. Sensory aphasia;
• • 6. Associated impairments: spasticity of the upper limb (Modified Ashworth scale≥ 3), apraxia, major pain, or other impairments that would interfere with the correct execution of the experiment;
• • 7. The NEST system cannot be used independently according to the therapist's observations and there is no available support from a caregiver to help use the system;
• • 8. No experience with smartphone technology.