None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to test whether priming the brain before rehabilitation therapy will produce a better outcome after stroke. The priming technique being studied is called Active Passive Bilateral Therapy (APBT). This involves using a simple device which uses movement of the better hand to drive movement of the stroke-affected hand. Using this device for around 15 minutes prior to physical therapy is thought to promote beneficial changes in the stroke-affected side of the brain, so that the therapy is more effective. A previous study with chronic stroke patients has shown that people who used APBT before practicing using their affected hand 3 times per day had greater improvements in function than those who practiced without priming with APBT first. This study aims to replicate these findings in people as they take part in rehabilitation soon after stroke.
Interventions
Active-Passive Bilateral Therapy. This involves using a simple mechanical device with the arms, for 15 minutes prior to an upper rehabilitation therapy session, 5 times per week for a month. This will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Sponsors
University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
First ever mono-hemispheric stroke Unilateral upper limb weakness
Exclusion criteria
Volunteers are not eligible for participation of they have any of the following: Cardiac pacemaker (contraindication to MRI) Epilepsy (contraindication to transcranial magnetic stimulation) A history of previous stroke Cognitive or communication difficulties that preclude informed consent
Outcome results
None listed