424 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate upper-extremity vibrotactile stimulation with wearables in stroke patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: Are the wearables well-tolerated by patients? Does the vibrotactile stimulation help regain arm function? Participants will wear vibrotactile stimulation gloves and shirts for 5 hours daily during their stay at the rehabilitation unit, in addition to conventional therapy. Researchers will compare the treatment group (vibrotactile stimulation wearables) with a control group (conventional therapy only) to see the effects of the vibrotactile stimulation.
The purpose of this study is to compare two interventions currently used to improve gait and lower limb function in individuals with chronic stroke (i.e., high-intensity gait training and high-intensity gait training with functional electrical stimulation (FES)) with novel interventions based on the coordinated activity of multiple muscles, known as muscle synergies. To this end, the researchers will recruit chronic stroke patients to participate in training protocols according to the currently used rehabilitation programs as well as novel rehabilitation programs that provide real time feedback of muscle synergies using multichannel FES and visual feedback.
After a right brain stroke, \>50% of Veterans experience problems with dressing, eating, self-care or steering their wheelchairs because their ability to move, orient, and respond toward the left side is limited: spatial neglect. Spatial neglect prevents them from functioning independently, and their needs in the hospital and at home are greatly increased. An effective treatment for spatial neglect is 10 days of visuomotor training while wearing optical prisms (PAT), however many clinicians \[fail to diagnose spatial neglect and use this approach. In this study, the investigators will develop a brain scanning test that could objectively identify the Veterans with spatial neglect after stroke who are the best candidates to receive PAT and recover their ability to function. When the research is complete, the investigators expect that brain scans done in the hospital can guide the team to refer Veterans to PAT rehabilitation: improving daily life function\] and quality of life.
The investigators hypothesize that the presence of a Mayo Clinic certified therapy dog will provide additional benefits above typical treatment for patients currently enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Stroke Rehabilitation Unit.
Sleep is critical for health and quality of life; however, little is known about the prevalence or impact of non obstructive sleep apnea (non-OSA) sleep disorders in people with stroke. The proposed study aims to characterize the proportion of people with stroke that have non-OSA sleep disorders and their impact on recovery of activities of daily living, functional mobility, and participation along the continuum of recovery in people with stroke.
The primary objective of this study is to tailor and test implementation strategies to support the adoption of two upper extremity motor outcome measures for stroke: the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and the Action Research Arm Test. The study's interdisciplinary team will address this objective through the following specific aims: (a) Tailor a package of implementation strategies (referred to as I-STROM-Implementation STRategies for Outcome Measurement) to promote outcome measure use across the care continuum, (b) Determine the effectiveness of I-STROM on outcome measure adoption and (c) Evaluate the appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of I-STROM in rehabilitation settings across the country. The mixed-methods study design is informed by implementation science methodologies, and the tailoring of I-STROM will be guided by input from stakeholders, including occupational therapy practitioners and administrators. The investigators will collect robust quantitative and qualitative data by means of retrospective chart reviews, electronic surveys, and stakeholder focus groups. This study, "Strategies to Promote the Implementation of Outcome Measures in Stroke Rehabilitation," will address core barriers to outcome measure use through a package of implementation strategies, thus laying the groundwork for I-STROM scale-up in health systems nationwide.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. and many Veteran stroke survivors live with severe disability. Despite recent advances in rehabilitation treatments many stroke survivors have persistent physical and mental difficulties such as reduced physical and cognitive function and depression. Developing innovative treatments that address these problems is necessary to improve long-term outcomes for stroke survivors. Aerobic exercise (AEx) can improve physical and cognitive function, and reduce depression. Additionally, AEx may enhance physical rehabilitation by making the brain more receptive to, and consequently improving the response to an intervention. Therefore, combining AEx with physical rehabilitation has the potential to improve multiple aspects of stroke recovery. This study will examine the effect of combining AEx with physical rehabilitation on physical and mental function in stroke survivors. By gaining a better understanding of the effects of this combined intervention the investigators aim to advance the rehabilitative care of Veteran stroke survivors.
The objective of this RCT is to explore the clinical, functional and neurophysiological effectiveness of RE-assisted (Robotic Exoskeleton) early intervention gait therapy in stroke patients during inpatient and outpatient stroke rehabilitation as compared to traditional gait training in three groups: 1) RE; 2) RE-Standard of Care (SOC) and 3) SOC. We will evaluate the short and long-term effects on functional mobility, clinical, neurophysiological, community participation and quality of life.
The investigators have developed a novel robot-guided stretching under intelligent control and combine it with active movement training, which helped increase joint ROM, reduce spasticity and joint stiffness, increase muscle force output, and improve locomotion. However, for stroke survivors with sensorimotor impairment, their peripheral muscle may not sufficiently be recruited. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), has been shown its advantage to activate the peripheral muscles for people with neurological conditions. The investigators thus make a hybrid robot-FES rehabilitation system, combining the advantage of robot and FES technologies for stroke motor recovery. The investigators further would like to translate the technologies from lab to home-based training. Thus, the investigators will conduct a randomized, controlled, primarily home-based clinical trial using an ankle robot alone or combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to treat sensorimotor and locomotion impairments post-stroke.
This is a randomized, controlled pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of "ASCEND-I" (A Strategy and Computer-based intervention to ENhance Daily cognitive functioning after stroke - Inpatient), an inpatient intervention that combines computer-based cognitive training and coaching of cognitive strategies to improve working memory (WM) and related executive functions in individuals with stroke. The investigators hypothesize that relative to an "enhanced usual care" control condition, ASCEND will be associated with improvements in WM. The investigators also hypothesize that measures of baseline brain connectivity (assessed via participants' routine clinical magnetic resonance imaging scans) will predict response to ASCEND-I.
The investigators will determine the client and non-client variables associated with discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation facility vs. skilled nursing facility in individuals' post-stroke. The investigators will determine how these variables are associated with short-term (discharge from facility) and long-term (6-months post-stroke) function and quality of life.
There are over 7 million stroke survivors in the US alone, with approximately 795,000 new cases annually. Despite the best available physiotherapy, 30-60% of stroke survivors remain affected by difficulty walking, with foot weakness often being the main cause. Given that post-stroke gait impairments remain poorly addressed, new methods that can provide lasting improvements are necessary. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology may be one such novel approach. BCI technology enables "direct brain control" of external devices such as assistive devices and prostheses by translating brain waves into control signals. When BCI systems are integrated with functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems, they can be used to deliver a novel physical therapy to improve movement after stroke. BCI-FES systems are hypothesized to stimulate recovery after stroke beyond that of conventional physical therapy.
Given the critical role of sleep in enhancing neural recovery, motor learning, neuroprotection, and neuroplasticity, interventions to enhance sleep that target sleep could improve recovery and rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients. In this proposal, a multidisciplinary group of researchers with expertise in rehabilitation medicine, sleep medicine, nursing, physical therapy, wearable technologies, and implementation science will adapt, implement and evaluate a state-of-the-art intervention to promote sleep for stroke patients undergoing acute rehabilitation. SIESTA-Rehab, adapted from a previous unit-based intervention, bundles two sleep-promoting interventions to address the unique sleep challenges stroke patients face during acute rehabilitation: (1) nursing education and empowerment to reduce unnecessary disruptions; (2) a systematic protocol to screen, diagnose, and treat sleep-disordered breathing if present during acute stroke rehabilitation.
The purpose of this research is to determine if functional muscle stimulation, directed by electroencephalogram (EEG) output, can increase the extent of stroke recovery on behavioral measures and induce brain plasticity as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants will include stroke patients with upper-limb hemiparesis and can expect to be on study for approximately 4 months.
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether aerobic exercise improves the participant's ability to recover function in the arm and leg affected by the participant's stroke. The investigators are also calculating the cost effectiveness of the rehabilitation interventions.
Stroke can lead to weakness and spasticity in the arm or hand. The purpose of this study is to optimize the design of gentle vibratory stimulation delivered to the hands of individuals with chronic stroke, and explore the effect on range of movement and spasticity.
The purpose of this research study is to show that a computer can analyze brain waves and that those brain waves can be used to control an external device. This study will also show whether passive movement of the affected hand as a result of brain-based control can cause rehabilitation from the effects of a stroke. Additionally, this study will show how rehabilitation with a brain-controlled device may affect the function and organization of the brain. Stroke is the most common neurological disorder in the US with 795,000 strokes per year (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009). Of survivors, 15-30% are permanently disabled and 20% require institutional care (Mackay et al. 2004; Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009). In survivors over age 65, 50% had hemiparesis, 30% were unable to walk without assistance, and 26% received institutional care six months post stroke (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009). These deficits are significant, as recovery is completed after three months (Duncan et al. 1992; Jorgensen et al. 1995). This large patient population with decreased quality of life fuels the need to develop novel methods for improving functional rehabilitation. We propose that signals from the unaffected hemisphere can be used to develop a novel Brain-Computer interface (BCI) system that can facilitate functional improvement or recovery. This can be accomplished by using signals recorded from the brain as a control signal for a robotic hand orthotic to improve motor function, or by strengthening functional pathways through neural plasticity. Neural activity from the unaffected hemisphere to the affected hemiparetic limb would provide a BCI control in stroke survivors lesions that prevent perilesional mechanisms of motor recovery. The development of BCI systems for functional recovery in the affected limb in stroke survivors will be significant because they will provide a path for improving quality of life for chronic stroke survivors who would otherwise have permanent loss of function. Initially, the study will serve to determine the feasibility of using EEG signals from the non-lesioned hemisphere to control a robotic hand orthotic. The study will then determine if a brain-computer interface system can be used to impact rehabilitation, and how it may impact brain function. The system consists of a research approved EEG headset, the robotic hand orthotic, and a commercial tablet. The orthotic will be made, configured, and maintained by Neurolutions. Each participant will complete as many training sessions as the participant requires, during which a visual cue will be shown to the participant to vividly imagine moving their impaired upper extremity to control the opening and closing of the orthotic. Participants may also be asked to complete brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The long-term study goal is to develop a more engaging, motivating gait biofeedback methodologies specifically designed for post-stroke gait training. The current project aims to address fundamental questions regarding the optimal methodology to deliver AGRF biofeedback during gait, and the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of AGRF progression protocols for improved gait patterns and gait function. The study objectives are to (1) evaluate the immediate effects of biofeedback training methodology on gait biomechanics; and (2) evaluate the feasibility and short-term effects on gait performance of a real-time biofeedback protocol incorporating progression criteria (similar to those employed during clinical rehabilitative training).
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the effect of treatment for acquired speech impairment can be enhanced by combining effective behavioral treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which delivers low-intensity current to the scalp, and is a safe and well-tolerated approach that poses a non-significant risk to participants. tDCS provides low intensity neural stimulation which has been shown to facilitate motor learning in other domains of stroke rehabilitation such as arm motor learning but the potential to enhance speech motor learning has not been explored. This will be examined with a series of single-case experimental designs.
This research will evaluate the potential for a novel hand orthosis (HandSOME) to help stroke victims regain functional use of their hand and regain independent living. Participants will use the HandSOME at home regularly for 8 weeks. Clinical evaluations will measure changes from the intervention after the 8 weeks and also at a 3 month followup.
This study will be the first study to use ischemic preconditioning (IPC) as an intervention to improve stroke rehabilitation. IPC is a well studied, well tolerated intervention which has been shown to improve regional blood flow, motor neuron excitability and muscle function in multiple patient groups and in young, healthy subjects. Because IPC targets three physiological systems which are all affected by stroke, we hypothesize that repeated bouts of IPC during the first days to months following stroke (when the majority of recovery occurs) will make traditional rehabilitation strategies more effective.
This study will determine the feasibility of using an interactive computer game to elicit repetitive practice of paretic arm movements in the homes of community dwelling stroke survivors and during non-therapy hours at an inpatient stroke rehabilitation hospital.
Observe and describe the relationships between impairments and function, systematically characterize recovery patterns and examine short and long term rehabilitation outcomes. This project is purely observational, descriptive and non-experimental. N=273
Rehab in a Crate is a therapy gym designed to be affordable, compact and easily transportable. The purpose of this particular study is to gain feedback on the initial design of the Rehab in a Crate system. This will be accomplished by using qualitative ethnographic research methods (i.e. human centered design) in the form of surveys that have been carefully designed by members of the research team. The eligibility criteria of this survey research reflects the intended user base of an eventual finished product, which is survivors of stroke and cerebral palsy across the globe. And while healthcare professionals are not the user base per se, their expertise and feedback should be instrumental in the design of future iterations of the Rehab in a Crate. Ease of use, utility, design, and various features, both existing and intended, will all be surveyed items.
Our study goal is to assess natural patient-therapist interactions in order to map such human-human activities to robot-human interactions. Critical to accomplishing this mapping will be determining the feasibility of a humanoid robot interacting with a patient in a more intuitive and flexible way, while concomitantly investigating the issue of safe contact and release.
Cognitive impairments occur frequently after stroke, and are associated with significant long-term activities of daily living (ADL) disability and poor quality of life. This research study will undertake an innovative approach addressing cognitive impairments, by examining a new patient-centered functionally-relevant rehabilitation intervention that teaches individuals with cognitive impairments to manage their deficits to reduce ADL disability.
The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on functional outcome in patients with acute stroke, the investigators conducted a sham-controlled, double-blind pilot trial during inpatient rehabilitation. Patients with acute stroke were recruited and randomly assigned to auto-titrating or sham-CPAP during their rehabilitation stay.
This Phase II study aims to ascertain the effectiveness of HD-tDCS for adjunctive treatment of anomia in chronic aphasia post stroke. Furthermore, it will help explore factors such as alternate outcome measures, subject selection criteria, and benefits of extended treatment duration. These results will be compared to an existing trial using conventional non-targeted tDCS with the same design and outcomes. Patients will be treated with HD-tDCS while performing computerized anomia treatment. The basis behind this method is that language therapy is mediated by cortical areas that are most effectively activated during the training tasks, thus increasing electric stimulation in these areas may improve learning outcomes. To better understand the long term benefits of the adjunctive treatment, patients will be screened again four weeks and six months after study using the same anomia tests. If HD-tDCS shows promising results in increasing the learning outcomes of anomia treatment, a Phase III trial can be considered.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group outpatient study that will utilize standard stroke rehabilitation outcome measures, as well as fMRI techniques in a subset of subjects, to evaluate the effect of HT-3951 on motor recovery and behavior in medically stable subjects following ischemic stroke.
The purpose of the study is to determine if performing different types of aerobic exercise (cycling) before upper extremity exercises will help to improve outcomes after stroke.