Topic: Stroke Research Network
Conditions
Interventions
Somatosensory stimulation will be delivered to three arm nerves (ulnar at the medial epicondylar groove of the elbow, median in front of the elbow joint and radial nerve above the lateral epicondyle)
Sponsors
Kings College London (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. At least 65 years of age, either sex 2. History of a single ischaemic stroke at least 3 months duration 3. Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMT) greater than 7 4. Ambulant and able to attend the laboratory 5. Active range of shoulder elevation at least 60 degrees and 10 degrees of wrist extension 6. Passive pain free range of movement (ROM) of at least 75 % of normal in shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand 7.Presence of motor evoked potential (MEPs) in the hand muscles in response to TMS
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Currently undergoing a stroke rehabilitation programme 2. Neurologic disorders or infarcts in the vertebrobasilar territory 3. Severe heart or lung disease 4. Severe aphasia (normal score on the Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test) 5. Visuospatial disorders (as screened by the Star cancellation test) 6. Metal in the head, seizures, auditory or cardiac implants, severe spasticity (defined as a score of greater than 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale [MAS])
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in functional ability of the upper limb arm. Outcome measures will be assessed at beginning and end of the intervention (duration: 4 weeks) and then at 3 and 6 months follow up. A retest will be made within a week of the initial assessment and before the first treatment session in order to establish the stability of the baseline. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Level of dependence in basic activities of daily living (Barthel Index) 2. Hand dexterity by the Block and Block test 3. Real life use of upper limb (Motor Activity Log) 4. Assessment of motor function by the upper limb motor function (FuglMeyer Motor Assessment) 5. Health related quality of life (36-item Short Form [SF36]) 6. Changes in upper limb movement trajectory by 3D motion analysis of upper limb funtion 7. Upper limb spasticity by the Modified Ashworth Scale and Tardieu Scale Outcome measures will be assessed at beginning and end of the intervention (duration: 4 weeks) and then at 3 and 6 months follow up. A retest will be made within a week of the initial assessment and before the first treatment session in order to establish the stability of the baseline. | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed