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An Exploratory Clinical Study on a Variable Speed and Sensing Treadmill System (VASST) for Hemiparetic Gait Rehabilitation

A Phase 1 Study of An Exploratory Feasibility Clinical Study on a Variable Speed and Sensing Treadmill System (VASST) for Hemiparetic Gait Rehabilitation in Subacute Stroke Patients.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01811680
Acronym
VASST
Enrollment
10
Registered
2013-03-14
Start date
2012-08-31
Completion date
2013-07-31
Last updated
2015-01-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hemiplegic Gait, Stroke

Keywords

Stroke, Hemiplegia, Variable automated treadmill treadmill

Brief summary

To conduct a feasibility clinical trial to test a novel patient sensing automated treadmill device devised by local engineers for subacute hemiplegic stroke patients for gait rehabilitation. This is a phase 1 feasibility and safety trial on the above device for 10 chronic stroke patients with hemiparetic gait dysfunction to be conducted over a period of 2 months. Research protocol and standardized outcomes measures will be used.

Detailed description

To conduct a feasibility clinical trial to test a novel patient sensing automated treadmill device devised by local engineers for subacute hemiplegic stroke patients for gait rehabilitation. This device incorporates patient automated variable speeds and feedback, increased safety features with patient support harness and visual feedback providing ambulatory gait monitoring data. Methodology: 10 stable subacute hemiparetic stroke subjects will undergo supervised treadmill training using this device targeted at improving gait speed and walking independence. Outcomes will be measured at 4 time points pre and post training using clinical scales and temporal-spatial gait measurements. Importance of research to medicine: This study tests the possibility of patient initiated control and closed loop sensing feedback system to provide increased intensity, reduced risk of gait destabilisation and fall risk which are associated with current fixed treadmill training. Potential benefits with new device: Ability to train at self selected variable speeds including fast speeds, improved hemiplegic leg swing initiation and stride length, less assistance required from physiotherapist and reduced fall risk due to overhead safety harness and treadmill sensing and increased patient confidence. Possibility of ambulatory gait speed and force loading during treadmill training. Potential risks: Minor risks of fall are minimised as there is a safety harness and supervision by physiotherapist. Anticipated risks related to repetitive treadmill training with regards to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal side effects will be mitigated with strict patient inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Interventions

DEVICEVariable Speed and Sensing Treadmill

open label study on variable speed and sending treadmill training for hemiplegic gait training.

Sponsors

Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. First ever stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic) confirmed on Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance imaging 2. Aged 21 - 80 years 3. Stroke duration of \>3 months in outpatient phase (subacute -chronic stroke) 4. Able to walk overground at a self-selected speed of \>0.2m/s with or without walking aids or lower limb orthoses for at least 150 meters with contact guard or supervision. 5. Functional ambulation category (FAC \>/= 2) (Holden et al 1994)

Exclusion criteria

1. Cardiovascular conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension/hypotension, angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, congestive cardiac failure, known echocardiographic ejection fraction \< 40% within 3 months of stroke, chronic arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation) within 3 months of study screening, pacemaker, uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus. 2. End stage illness (advanced malignancy), pregnancy or end stage renal failure with life expectancy of \<6 months. 3. Aphasia (inability to obey 2 step commands), communication disorder precluding understanding of instructions, cognitive impairment, dementia, untreated depression or psychiatric disorder. 4. Active lower limb arthritis, Pain (Visual Analogue Scale) \>5/10, fixed orthopaedic deformities of the lower limb which would compromise safe ambulation on treadmill. 5. Moderate to severe lower limb spasticity or spasms (Modified Ashworth Scale \>2) 6. Active trunk skin conditions, known abdominal aortic aneurysm, anticoagulation with warfarin precluding safe fit of gait harness

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
6 Minute Walk Test (Metres)8 weeks6 minute walk test - assess distance walked within 6 minutes as a sub maximal test of endurance (Assessed at weeks 0,2,4 and 8)
10 Meter Walk Test8 weeksAssess time taken to walk 10meters to estimate walking speed(m/s) (Assessed at weeks 0,2,4,8)

Countries

Singapore

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Supervised Treadmill Training
Supervised treadmill training on variable sensing treadmill. Variable Speed and Sensing Treadmill: open label study on variable speed and sending treadmill training for hemiplegic gait training.
10
Total10

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSupervised Treadmill Training
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
9 Participants
Age, Continuous55.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.85
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
10 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Singapore
10 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
2 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
8 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 10
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 10

Outcome results

Primary

10 Meter Walk Test

Assess time taken to walk 10meters to estimate walking speed(m/s) (Assessed at weeks 0,2,4,8)

Time frame: 8 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Supervised Treadmill Training10 Meter Walk Test0.06 m/sStandard Deviation 0.07
Primary

6 Minute Walk Test (Metres)

6 minute walk test - assess distance walked within 6 minutes as a sub maximal test of endurance (Assessed at weeks 0,2,4 and 8)

Time frame: 8 weeks

Population: chronic stroke

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Supervised Treadmill Training6 Minute Walk Test (Metres)54.3 metresStandard Deviation 30.9

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026