Personalised Health Cognitive Assistance for RehAbilitation SystEm (PHRASE): A Feasibility Study

Launched by DONDERS CENTRE FOR NEUROSCIENCE · Apr 16, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PHRASE study is exploring a new way to help stroke patients recover cognitive skills—such as attention, memory, and problem-solving—using a special rehabilitation technology called the Rehabilitation Gaming System (RGS). This system uses fun, interactive games that involve virtual and augmented reality to make rehabilitation more engaging and effective. The goal is to see if this technology can improve cognitive function when integrated into the everyday lives of stroke patients, especially since many people struggle to access traditional rehabilitation programs after leaving the hospital.

To participate in the study, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have experienced a stroke, and have moderate to mild movement difficulties in their arm. Participants will use the RGS at home for six weeks alongside their regular rehabilitation treatment. The study is currently looking for volunteers, and those who join will be asked to share their experiences and feedback on how well the technology works for them. This research could lead to better support for stroke recovery and help many people regain important skills that can improve their daily lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients presenting an ischemic or intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke
• • 2. Age \> 18 years old
• • 3. Moderate to mild proximal upper limb motor impairment Medical Research Council Scale (MRC≥2).
• • 4. Lesion localisation by clinical symptoms/signs.
• • 5. Able to sit on a chair or a wheelchair to interact with the RGS system.
• • 6. Minimal experience with smartphone technology based on the clinician's opinion
• • 7. Willing to participate and agree to comply with the trial scheme and procedures
• • 8. Must sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF) indicating that they understand the purpose and the procedures of the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Presence of a condition or abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of the patient or the quality of the data.
• • 2. Severe cognitive capabilities that prevent the execution of the experiment, either evaluated by the MoCA \< 19 or based on the clinician's opinion.
• • 3. Arteriovenous malformation or lesions not related to a stroke.
• • 4. Severe associated impairments such as proximal but not distal spasticity, communication disabilities (sensory, Wernicke aphasia, or apraxia), major pain, or other neuromuscular impairments.
• • 5. Pre-stroke history of upper limb motor disability.
• • 6. Unable to use the RGS independently according to the clinician's observations and lacking support from a caregiver to use the RGS.
• • 7. Refusal to sign the consent form.
• • 8. No experience with smartphone technology or based on the clinician's opinion.