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CompletedNCT04777253Updated Mar 31, 2022

Rehabilitation of Arm Function Using a Biofeedback Method After Stroke

An interventional study of Biofeedback method and Health-resort based rehabilitation in Rehabilitation, Stroke and Biofeedback, sponsored by Bogumiła Pniak. Completed at 1 site in Poland. Open to participants aged 45 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-03-31.

Sponsored by Bogumiła Pniak · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
100
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
45 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The research will make it possible to assess effects of rehabilitation of arm function with the use of biofeedback method and conventional therapies administered to patients at a chronic stage of recovery post-stroke, as part of the treatment in a health-resort setting.

Read the detailed description

: In accordance with the study design, the group will comprise 100 patients with hemiparesis after stroke, participating in a health-resort based rehabilitation program during their stay in the Health-Resort Rehabilitation Hospital in Iwonicz Zdrój, Poland. The minimum size of the sample was calculated based on the total annual number of patients after stroke receiving treatment in the Health-Resort Rehabilitation Hospital in Iwonicz Zdrój, i.e. approximately 200 patients, 100% of these being in a chronic stage of recovery. It was assumed that 50% of the patients would present stage 4-5 arm paresis according Brunnström scale. A fraction of 0.8 and a maximum error of 5% were applied and the sample size of 71 patients was obtained.

The patients meeting eligibility criteria will be randomly divided into two groups:

  • the study group (50 patients), participating in a conventional rehabilitation program supplemented with additional biofeedback training;
  • the control group (50 patients), participating in the conventional rehabilitation program only.

The patients in both groups will participate in a three-week rehabilitation program (from Monday to Friday), with the treatments and therapies continued for up to two hours per day. The program will include: group and individual exercise (active and assisted exercises, manipulation exercises, PNF-based practice, balance and breathing exercises), manual massage, physical treatments, such as: laser, whirlpool therapy, mud compress therapy, carbonic acid therapy, TENS therapy, BIO-V lamp, and localized cryotherapy. The patients in the study group will also receive biofeedback training aimed to improve motor function of the upper limb. The exercise will be performed using equipment manufactured by Biometrics. The device makes it possible to perform movements in all the planes of the joints in the upper limb. During the exercise, a visualisation of the movements is shown to the patient on the screen; this biofeedback makes it possible for them to regulate and increase the range of movement, to use greater muscle strength and to visually assess the accuracy of their performance. The training with the biofeedback function will be carried out for 30 minutes per day.

After the program is completed, the subjects from the control group will have an opportunity to also practice with the Biometrics device with the biofeedback function.

Examinations will be carried out three times: the baseline at the start of the rehabilitation program, a check-up at the end of the three-week program, and a follow-up two months after discharge from the hospital. The tests will be performed at the same time of day, and following the same conditions.

The patients' condition and the rehabilitation effects will be assessed using the following measures:

  • hand grip strength and pinching strength of the fingers, to be tested with a dynamometer and pinch meter, respectively;
  • ranges of motion in the joints of the upper limb, with R500 goniometer;
  • manual skills, with Box and Blocks test;
  • handgrip function, according Franchay scale;
  • motor capacities of the upper limb, according to Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale;
  • EMG test, with the Biometrics device;
  • activities of daily living, with Barthel Index.
02

Conditions studied

  • Rehabilitation
  • Stroke
  • Biofeedback

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Keywords

  • Health-resort based rehabilitation
  • Stroke
  • Biofeedback
  • Conventional (traditional) rehabilitation
03

In context

Stroke

7,443 studies on the registry are indexed under Stroke; 2,012 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 100 is above the median of 50 across 5,482 interventional studies indexed under Stroke.

Browse Stroke studies →

Lead sponsor

This is the only study on the registry with Bogumiła Pniak as lead sponsor.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
45 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • informed, voluntary consent of the patient;
  • a single ischemic stroke experienced;
  • hemiparesis;
  • a minimum of 6 months from the stroke onset;
  • age 45-75 years;
  • elementary (basic) handgrip ability;
  • stage 4-5 arm paresis according Brunnström scale;
  • stage 3 disability according to Rankin scale;
  • spasticity in the paretic arm up to 1 plus on the modified Ashworth scale;
  • current health status, confirmed by a medical examination, allowing the person to take part in the study and in the exercise.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • lack of informed and voluntary consent of the patient;
  • two or more strokes experienced, haemorrhagic stroke, brain stem and cerebellar stroke;
  • impairments in higher mental functions adversely affecting the ability to understand and perform the tasks during exercise;
  • visual field impairment;
  • mechanical and thermal injuries potentially limiting handgrip function;
  • coexisting neurological, rheumatic and orthopaedic conditions, including fixed contractures potentially affecting gripping abilities;
  • unstable health condition;
  • failure to complete the three-week rehabilitation program.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
100 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Biofeedback method and Health-resort based rehabilitation

    Health-resort based treatments supplemented with biofeedback training

    Other: Biofeedback method · Other: Health-resort based rehabilitation

  • Other
    Health-resort based rehabilitation

    Control group - health-resort based treatments, without biofeedback training.

    Other: Health-resort based rehabilitation

Interventions

  • OtherBiofeedback method

    Patients in the study group will participate in training with visual biofeedback, aimed to improve motor function of the arm. The exercise will be performed using a Biometrics device. The biofeedback training will be carried out for 30 minutes per day. Health-resort based rehabilitation The patients will participate in a three-week rehabilitation program (from Monday to Friday), with the treatments and therapies continued for up to two hours per day. The program will include: group and individual exercise (active and assisted exercises, manipulation exercise, PNF-based practice, balance and breathing exercise), manual massage, physical treatments, such as: laser, whirlpool therapy, mud compress therapy, carbonic acid therapy, TENS therapy, BIO-V lamp, and localized cryotherapy.

  • OtherHealth-resort based rehabilitation

    The patients will participate in a three-week rehabilitation program (from Monday to Friday), with the treatments and therapies continued for up to two hours per day. The program will include: group and individual exercise (active and assisted exercises, manipulation exercise, PNF-based practice, balance and breathing exercise), manual massage, physical treatments, such as: laser, whirlpool therapy, mud compress therapy, carbonic acid therapy, TENS therapy, BIO-V lamp, and localized cryotherapy

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Hand grip strength

    measurements to be performed with a dynamometer The dynamometer registers strength lower than up to 90 kg,

    Time frame: : First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program;

  2. Hand grip strength

    measurements to be performed with a dynamometer The dynamometer registers strength lower than up to 90 kg,

    Time frame: Second examination - at the end of the three-week program

  3. Hand grip strength

    measurements to be performed with a dynamometer The dynamometer registers strength lower than up to 90 kg,

    Time frame: Third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  4. pinching strength of the fingers

    measurements to be performed with a pinch meter. The pinch meter registers strength lower than up to 22 kg.

    Time frame: First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program

  5. pinching strength of the fingers

    measurements to be performed with a pinch meter. The pinch meter registers strength lower than up to 22 kg.

    Time frame: Second examination - at the end of the three-week program

  6. pinching strength of the fingers

    measurements to be performed with a pinch meter. The pinch meter registers strength lower than up to 22 kg.

    Time frame: Third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  7. Ranges of motion in the joints of the upper limb

    with the use of R 500 goniometer; the device operates with an accuracy up to one degree.

    Time frame: First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program

  8. Ranges of motion in the joints of the upper limb

    with the use of R 500 goniometer; the device operates with an accuracy up to one degree.

    Time frame: Second examination - at the end of the three-week program

  9. Ranges of motion in the joints of the upper limb

    with the use of R 500 goniometer; the device operates with an accuracy up to one degree.

    Time frame: Third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  10. EMG of extensors and flexors of the radiocarpal joint

    EMG assessment of extensors and flexors of the radiocarpal joint on the Biometrics device

    Time frame: First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program

  11. EMG of extensors and flexors of the radiocarpal joint

    EMG assessment of extensors and flexors of the radiocarpal joint on the Biometrics device

    Time frame: Second examination - at the end of the three-week program

  12. EMG of extensors and flexors of the radiocarpal joint

    EMG assessment of extensors and flexors of the radiocarpal joint on the Biometrics device

    Time frame: Third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Activities of daily living, assessed with Barthel Index.

    Based on the scores assigned the patient's condition is described in the following way: I. 86-100 points - "slight" dependency; II. 21- 85 points - "moderately severe" dependency; III. 0 - 20 points - "severe" dependency. A maximum 100 points can be scored on Barthel scale.

    Time frame: First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program; second examination - at the end of the three-week program; third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  2. Manual skills, assessed with Box and Blocks test;

    The test uses a wooden box, divided into two equal parts by a partition, as well as 150 blocks. The subject moves as many blocks as possible from one part of the box to the other during 60 seconds.

    Time frame: First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program; second examination - at the end of the three-week program; third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  3. Handgrip function, according Franchay scale

    The scale consists of 7 tasks (pass/fail grading); the patient is awarded 1 point for each activity performed successfully, or 0 points for a failure to perform. The maximum score of seven points may be achieved for the performance of the tasks. Higher score corresponds to better manual skills. The scale measures the proximal control of the upper limb and the manual skills.

    Time frame: : First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program; second examination - at the end of the three-week program; third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  4. Motor capacities of the upper limb, according to Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale

    Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale for Upper Extremity is a comprehensive tool enabling measurement of motor function; it comprises 33 motor tasks, designed to assess general movements, precision movements, grip, coordination and speed. It is also possible to perform H subgroup tests - assessing superficial and deep sensibility, and J subgroup tests - for range of passive motion and pain induced by such movements. Individual tasks are assessed on a scale 0-2 0 - impossible task 1. \- task partially completed, 2. \- task completed correctly The higher the score, the better.

    Time frame: First examination - before the start of the rehabilitation program; second examination - at the end of the three-week program; third examination - two months after discharge from the hospital (follow- up)

  5. Assessment of paretic limb function with the Brunnström scale.

    Motor performance (function) of extremities is to be assessed using Brunnström scale. This is a six-point scale designed to evaluate performance (function) of paretic extremities.The higher the score, the better. 1-No moves 6-Precise movements, ball throw, button fastening and unfastening

    Time frame: Measurement during the patient's enrolment

  6. Muscle tone (spasticity) will be examined with modified Ashworth scale.

    Increased muscle tone (spasticity) is to be examined with modified Ashworth scale. This is a six-point scale modified to include grade 1. 0: No increase in muscle tone 1. Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch and release or by minimal resistance at the end of the range of motion when the affected part(s) is moved in flexion or extension 1+: Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch, followed by minimal resistance throughout the remainder (less than half) of the ROM; 2. More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affected part(s) easily moped; 3. Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult; 4. Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension.

    Time frame: Measurement during the patient's enrolment

  7. Assessment of disability level, using the modified Rankin scale (MRS)

    Assessment of disability using the modified Rankin scale (MRS) Score Description 0 - No symptoms at all 1- No significant disability despite symptoms; able to carry out all usual duties and activities; 2 - Slight disability; unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance; 3 - Moderate disability; requiring some help, but able to walk without assistance; 4 - Moderately severe disability; unable to walk without assistance and unable to attend to own bodily needs without assistance; 5 - Severe disability; bedridden, incontinent and requiring constant nursing care and attention; 6 - Dead TOTAL (0-6):

    Time frame: : Measurement during the patient's enrolment

07

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Rzeszów
    Rzeszów, 35-959, Poland
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 31, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04777253
Lead sponsor
Bogumiła Pniak
Responsible party
Bogumiła Pniak (MSc, University of Rzeszow) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Mar 2, 2021
Start date
Apr 1, 2021
Primary completion
Nov 2, 2021
Completion
Dec 31, 2021
Last update
Mar 31, 2022

Study contacts

Bogumiła Pniak, MSc
principal investigator · University of Rzeszow

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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