Skip to content

Peripheral Modulation of Muscle Stiffness and Spasticity

Peripheral Modulation of Muscle Stiffness and Spasticity

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03306615
Enrollment
56
Registered
2017-10-11
Start date
2021-10-11
Completion date
2026-06-30
Last updated
2026-03-09

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

Conditions

Muscle Spasticity

Keywords

Muscle Stiffness, Muscle Spasticity, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Hyperreflexia

Brief summary

This is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential Phase II trial of human recombinant hyaluronidase injections in individuals with post-stroke upper limb muscle stiffness. The investigators will recruit 56 subjects, who will be randomized to receive either the intervention or normal saline injections (first injection), and then the intervention the participants did not receive first (second injection). All individuals will receive the treatment by the end of the study.

Detailed description

1. To test the effect of hyaluronidase injections on upper limb outcomes. The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, human recombinant hyaluronidase injections will increase passive range of motion (ROM) in the most affected joint of the upper limb (primary outcome), isometric muscle strength or force generation capacity using Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) on electromyography (EMG), reduce upper limb motor impairment as measured by the Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale, and improve function as measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). 2. To evaluate the effect of hyaluronidase on neural and non-neural components of muscle stiffness. The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, intramuscular (IM) hyaluronidase will modulate the passive and potentially also the active component of the stretch reflex, reduce stiffness and improve arm motor control. 3. To determine the effect of hyaluronidase on intramuscular glycosaminoglycans (GAG) content. The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, IM hyaluronidase will reduce the T1rho relaxation times in the biceps and triceps muscles of the affected arm.

Interventions

HYLENEX recombinant, diluted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection

DRUGPlacebo

0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER
Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke 4-180 months prior * Moderately-severe muscle stiffness * Lack of full passive and active range of motion in at least 2/4 areas (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist) in the hemiparetic upper limb; * Willingness to have MRI, complete all clinical assessments, and comply with study protocols; * Ability to give informed consent and HIPPA certifications; and

Exclusion criteria

* treatment of spasticity with Botulinum toxin or intrathecal baclofen within the past six months, phenol injections within the past 12 months, or ongoing adjustment of anti-spastic medications; * other neurologic condition that may affect motor response (e.g., Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), MS); * clinically significant cognitive dysfunction with score \<19 on Folstein's Mini Mental Status Examination or depression with score \>10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); * pregnancy; * known hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase; * claustrophobia; * standard contraindications for MRI * Any condition that will preclude the patient from completing the protocol as determined by the PI

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Most affected upper limb joint passive range of motion (Cohort 1)9 weekspassive range of motion in most affected joint across the upper limb
Most affected upper limb joint passive range of motion (Cohort 2)15 weekspassive range of motion in most affected joint across the upper limb

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total upper limb passive and active range of motion15 weekspassive and active range of motion in shoulder, elbow and forearm joints
Change in upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment Score15 weeksmeasures motor impairment in the affected upper limb, Score range is 0-66, and a higher score indicates a better outcome
Change in Wolf-Motor Function Test (WMFT) Score15 weeksMeasures upper extremity function following stroke, Includes 6 items, with a 0-5 score range for each item, and a higher score indicates a better outcome

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNing Cao, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 10, 2026