An interventional study of VIBRAINT RehUp robotic orthosis and tSCS during the exercise in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injuries, sponsored by Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. Status unknown at 6 sites in Russian Federation. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-11-10.
Sponsored by Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of a new rehabilitation technology for paralysis that occurs after stroke or spinal cord injury. The research will jointly use a prototype neurorehabilitation orthosis, in which a robotic device moves a paralyzed arm at the command of a non-invasive brain-computer interface to perform a game life-like task augmented using a virtual-reality display, as well as an electrical stimulation device that activates the spinal cord and/or muscles of the paralyzed arm.
Investigators expect that a portion of the patients participating in the study will have an improvement in arm mobility by the end of the study.
Participants who express their special written consent will have venous blood tests conducted three times for subsequent analysis of lipid biomarkers, in order to further evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation methods based on biochemical analysis.
The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of a new rehabilitation technology for paralysis that occurs after stroke or spinal cord injury. The research will jointly use a prototype neurorehabilitation orthosis, in which a robotic device moves a paralyzed arm at the command of a non-invasive brain-computer interface to perform a game life-like task in virtual reality (for example, aiming a hand-held virtual toy gun at a target), as well as an electrical stimulation device that activates the spinal cord and/or muscles of the paralyzed arm.
The study is carried out to collect data on the role of central and spinal mechanisms in the plasticity of neuronal circuits that determine the effect of combined spinal neurostimulation and robotic rehabilitation under the control of non-invasive neural interfaces in patients in early and late rehabilitation period after acute cerebrovascular accident and in patients after trauma of the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord.
The study will use two technologies - neural interfaces and transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. Neural interfaces are a rapidly developing area at the intersection of medicine, neuroscience, biology, engineering, robotics, physics, mathematics, and materials science, which aims to reproduce and supplement brain functions and correct these functions in cases of neurological lesions. The possibility of using neural interfaces for the treatment of neurological disorders, including disorders resulting from spinal cord and brain injuries, epilepsy, strokes, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, has been demonstrated.
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a method for non-invasive control of the activity of human spinal neural networks used to restore locomotor functions after spinal cord injury (SCI). The published research results show that tSCS modulates the activity of not only spinal but also cortical neuronal networks.
It is expected that the use of tSCS in conjunction with the use of neural interfaces will increase the effectiveness of neural interfaces for the rehabilitation of neurological lesions, including stroke, and SCI.
Biochemical monitoring will be applied for objective monitoring of the physiological conditions of patients, such as the physiological state of muscle tissue and the level of neuropathic pain. This method is based on the identification of metabolic and lipid compounds associated with physiological parameters in blood plasma samples, and the subsequent use of these compounds as biomarkers to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques carried out using the neural interface, as well as to optimize them. This monitoring will be helpful for each individual patient, as it will provide additional information about the course of rehabilitation. Blood sampling and follow-up testing will only be performed for patients who gave their written consent for this procedure. The analysis results will be stored in anonymized form.
The study participants will receive up to 12 rehabilitation procedures, each lasting about one hour, within two-four weeks. During the procedure, the activity of the brain (electroencephalogram) and muscles (electromyogram) will be recorded using non- invasive electrodes placed on the scalp and body. Also, during the study, electrical stimulation will be performed with non-invasive electrodes placed on the body.
During the exercise, participants focus their attention on the target of movement and/or imagine that their arms perform a movement. If the task is completed correctly, the robot will move the arm towards the target. This movement can additionally be accompanied with functional electrical stimulation using disposable electrodes glued to the skin on the back and/or the arms. The strength of the stimulation will be adjusted so as not to cause discomfort. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups, and participants in some groups will receive tSCS and some will not.
On the day of inclusion in the study, as part of Visit 1 (screening), anamnesis will be collected, and there will be performed assessment on the study scales, BCI testing, an EMG study with registration of muscle activity (rhomboid, pectoralis major, biceps, deltoid) and / or visual determination of tSCS thresholds.
After Visit 1, patients in the study groups will undergo 12 procedures of BCI-driven robotic rehabilitation accompanied by tSCS.
Visit 2 is carried out the next day after the end of the study to assess the study scales and conduct the EMG study described above.
Visit 3 is carried out one month after the end of the study to assess the study scales and conduct an EMG study.
Throughout the study, adverse events (AEs) will be monitored. Sessions will be held daily in 6/1 or 5/2 mode, in a rehabilitation room or at patients' homes, with a session duration of about 60 minutes. The duration of Visits 1-3 will be approximately 2 hours.
Investigators expect that a portion of the patients participating in the study will have an improvement in voluntary arm movements by the end of the study.
Patient data will be recorded and stored in anonymized form. Only research team members will have access to this information. If it is necessary to publish individual results on study scales, diagnoses, anamnesis, and age of participants, participants will be identified with codes. The study data is supposed to be stored for 10 years on a protected file storage with limited access.
1,948 studies on the registry are indexed under Spinal Cord Injuries; 505 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is above the median of 24 across 1,566 interventional studies indexed under Spinal Cord Injuries.
Browse Spinal Cord Injuries studies →Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology is the lead sponsor of 7 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
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Criteria for inclusion in the study of patients:
Inclusion criteria for healthy volunteers:
Exclusion Criteria:
Stimulation during the excercise
Device: VIBRAINT RehUp robotic orthosis · Procedure: tSCS during the exercise · Device: Neostim-5 · Procedure: Exercise
Stimulation prior to the action
Device: VIBRAINT RehUp robotic orthosis · Procedure: tSCS prior to the exercise · Device: Neostim-5 · Procedure: Exercise
VIBRAINT RehUp robotic orthosis is a robotic arm that supports movement of a paralyzed arm. The robotic device is connected to a BCI. VIBRAINT RehUp software decodes imagery of a movement of the paralyzed arm and/or selective attention to the target of movement.
During the exercise transcutaneous stimulation of the spinal cord and, in some cases, peripheral nerves is also performed. tSCS is performed with the localization of electrodes between the spinous processes of the vertebrae C2-C3 and C5-C6, anodes - above the clavicles or above the crests of the iliac bones, bipolar or monopolar pulses with a frequency of 30 Hz, modulated with a frequency of 5 Hz.
Prior to the exercise transcutaneous stimulation of the spinal cord and, in some cases, peripheral nerves is also performed. tSCS is performed with the localization of electrodes between the spinous processes of the vertebrae C2-C3 and C5-C6, anodes - above the clavicles or above the crests of the iliac bones, bipolar or monopolar pulses with a frequency of 30 Hz, modulated with a frequency of 5 Hz.
Neostim-5 is intended for the transcutaneous spinal cord noninvasive stimulation from 0 up to 250 2 mA (step 1mA). Neostim allows to stimulate up to five different segments of spinal cord. The device can be synchronised with other devices.
The partcipant recieves a mental task - to imagine a movement or to concentrate on the goal. Upon successful completion of the given mental task, the VIBRAINT RehUp robotic exerciser moves the paralyzed limb. In the presence of muscular activity in a limb, an additional condition for the start of movement can be EMG activity in an agonist muscle assisting the robot movement.
Change from Baseline Fugl-Meyer scale for the upper limb after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity parts A-D (FMA-UE A-D) that assesses motor function in a range from 0 (worst score) to 66 (best score). Details aviable at https://www.gu.se/en/neuroscience-physiology/fugl-meyer-assessment.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline Fugl-Meyer scale for the upper limb in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity parts A-D (FMA-UE A-D) that assesses motor function in a range from 0 (worst score) to 66 (best score). Details aviable at https://www.gu.se/en/neuroscience-physiology/fugl-meyer-assessment.
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Action Research Arm Test after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) that assesses motor function in a range from 0 (worst score) to 57 (best score). Details available at https://www.physiopedia.com/Action_Research_Arm_Test_(ARAT) .
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline Action Research Arm Test in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) that assesses motor function in a range from 0 (worst score) to 57 (best score). Details available at https://www.physiopedia.com/Action_Research_Arm_Test_(ARAT) .
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Accuracy of BCI tasks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics of accuracy for BCI tasks (% of correctly completed tasks)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline in the Accuracy of BCI tasks in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics of accuracy for BCI tasks (% of correctly completed tasks)
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Rivermead Mobility Index after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) that assesses overall mobility in a range from 0 (worst score) to 15 (best score). Details available at https://www.physio-pedia.com/Rivermead_Mobility_Index .
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline Rivermead Mobility Index results in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) that assesses overall mobility in a range from 0 (worst score) to 15 (best score). Details available at https://www.physio-pedia.com/Rivermead_Mobility_Index .
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Ashworth Spasticity Scale after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Ashworth Spasticity Scale that assesses spasticity in a range from 0 (best score) to 4 (worst score). Details available at https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/ashworth-scale- modified-ashworth-scale .https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/ashworth-scale- modified-ashworth-scale
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline Ashworth Spasticity Scale in two four after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Ashworth Spasticity Scale that assesses spasticity in a range from 0 (best score) to 4 (worst score). Details available at https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/ashworth-scale- modified-ashworth-scale.
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline The Capabilities of Upper Extremity Test after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Capabilities of the Upper Extremity Test (CUE-T). CUE-T is a performance measure intended to assess upper extremity function following spinal cord injury. Minimum is 0 (worst score), maximum unilateral (arm + hand) converted score is 60 (best for one hand). Derails available at https://www.jefferson.edu/university/rehabilitation-sciences/departments/outcomes-measurement/measures-assessments/capabilities-of-the-upper-extremity-test-cue-t.html
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline The Capabilities of Upper Extremity Test in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Capabilities of the Upper Extremity Test (CUE-T). CUE-T is a performance measure intended to assess upper extremity function following spinal cord injury. Minimum is 0 (worst score), maximum unilateral (arm + hand) converted score is 60 (best for one hand). Derails available at https://www.jefferson.edu/university/rehabilitation-sciences/departments/outcomes-measurement/measures-assessments/capabilities-of-the-upper-extremity-test-cue-t.html
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline Spinal Cord Independence Measure III after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III) that assesses a spinal cord injured patient's independence in a range from 0 (worst score) to 100 (best score). Details available at https://scireproject.com/wp- content/uploads/SCIM_Toolkit_Printable-1.pdf
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline Spinal Cord Independence Measure III in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III) that assesses a spinal cord injured patient's independence in a range from 0 (worst score) to 100 (best score). Details available at https://scireproject.com/wp- content/uploads/SCIM_Toolkit_Printable-1.pdf
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline NIH Stroke Scale after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) that assesses a stroke patient's impairment in a range from 0 (best score) to 42 (worst score). Details available at https://www.nihstrokescale.org/ .
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline NIH Stroke Scale in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) that assesses a stroke patient's impairment in a range from 0 (best score) to 42 (worst score). Details available at https://www.nihstrokescale.org/ .
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale. The scale has five classification levels from Grade A (The impairment is complete) to Grade E (The patient's functions are normal). Details available at https://asia-spinalinjury.org/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci-worksheet/
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
Dynamics according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale. The scale has five classification levels from Grade A (The impairment is complete) to Grade E (The patient's functions are normal). Details available at https://asia-spinalinjury.org/international-standards-neurological-classification-sci-isncsci-worksheet/
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
Change from Baseline 36-Item Short Form Survey after the rehabilitation procedures
The RAND 36-Item Health Survey taps eight health concepts: physical functioning, bodily pain, role limitations due to physical health problems, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and general health perceptions. Each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores are 0 and 100, respectively. Details available at https://www.rand.org/health-care/surveys_tools/mos/36-item-short-form.html
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change from Baseline 36-Item Short Form Survey in four weeks after the rehabilitation procedures
The RAND 36-Item Health Survey taps eight health concepts: physical functioning, bodily pain, role limitations due to physical health problems, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and general health perceptions. Each item is scored on a 0 to 100 range so that the lowest and highest possible scores are 0 and 100, respectively. Details available at https://www.rand.org/health-care/surveys_tools/mos/36-item-short-form.html
Time frame: up to 6 weeks
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Plan to share: No — Only selected research team members will have access to individual participant data. The research team will not be sharing or releasing any IPD to third parties.
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Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology