emagine 2.0 - electromagnetic field ischemic stroke - novel subacute treatment

Conditions: Ischemic Stroke

Summary: this is a multicenter study that will be conducted at approximately 20 centers and up to 30 centers, if the sample size will be increased following interim assessment. the q therapeutic system (bq 3.0) is a wearable medical device that produces and delivers non-invasive, extremely-low-intensity and low-frequency, frequency-tuned electromagnetic fields in order to stimulate neuronal networks with the aim of reducing disability and promoting neurorecovery. the q therapeutic system (bq 3.0) is indicated for adjunctive use in a clinical facility or home setting, in addition to standard-of-care therapies. * in stage 1 (starting 4-21 days after the index stroke event to day 90 post stroke), participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either active or the sham treatments, up to 5 times a week, and at least to a total of 45 treatments. * in stage 2 (day 90 to day 180 post stroke), participants in both the active and the control group will be allowed to continue to receive active treatments, up to 5 times per week. * in stage 3 (day 180 to day 270 post stroke), participants will not receive any treatments and would be followed up until the final visit at day 270. each session will last approximately 60 minutes, with stimulation activated for up to 40 minutes, in conjunction with a home-based exercise program. treatments may be administered in the hospital, in the clinic or in a home setting. the study will enroll 100-122 adult subjects who will be randomly assigned (1:1 allocation ratio) to either active or sham study intervention using the bq 3.0 system.

the study intervention will be initiated 4-21 days after the index stroke event and will consist of 5 treatments per week until the primary endpoint follow-up visit, at day 90 (±15) after the onset of the index stroke. a minimum of 45 treatment sessions should be completed during this stage, with a potential of a maximum of 72 treatment sessions, depending on the start date of the first treatment and the timing of the 90-day follow-up visit. though, participants and sites will be guided to conduct the 90 days follow-up visit as soon as possible after the 45th treatment session and within up to 7 days from the 45th treatment and after the window opening. each treatment session will last approximately 60 minutes and include 40 minutes of active or sham stimulation. subjects in both groups will be asked to perform a home-based exercise program for the upper and the lower limb, concurrent with the study intervention. screening phase: prospective subjects, who are 3 to 21 days post-stroke, may be offered informed consent to participate in the study at either: a participating inpatient or outpatient center, non-participating inpatient or outpatient center, in accordance with both the participating and the non-participating centers' policy, or home consented subjects, who are 4 to 21 days post-stroke, will be screened for eligibility to participate in the treatment phase of the study. eligible subjects will be randomly assigned, at a 1:1 allocation ratio, to either the active or sham study intervention groups. stimulation with the q therapeutic system (bq 3.0) does not produce any noticeable sound, light, or tactile sensation which could disclose the treatment arm assignment, making this device ideal for testing in a sham-controlled design. during sham treatment sessions, for purposes of maintaining the blind, the device will function as if it is delivering the therapy (i.e., the device will turn on and all indicators will function), but the frequency and intensity parameters, which are not visible to the subject or site study members (or any blinded personnel), will be set to zero so that no stimulation is delivered. stage 1 (day 4 to day 90 (±15) post-stroke) - double-blind sham-controlled: efforts should be made to initiate the 1st treatment as early as possible within the window of recruitment, and target to complete a first treatment within 6 days from admission to a participating irf (where applicable). the study intervention will be initiated 4-21 days after the index stroke event and will consist of 5 treatments per week until the primary endpoint follow-up visit, at day 90 (±15) after the onset of the index stroke. each treatment session will last approximately 60 minutes and include 40 minutes of active or sham stimulation. subjects in both groups will be asked to perform a home- based exercise program for the upper and the lower limb, concurrent with the study intervention. the program will be standardized, pre-defined, home-based, and aligned with standard-of-care1. the participant and their caregiver will be trained on the use of the device and exercise program. treatment sessions will be completed by the subject with the assistance of a trained caregiver, as needed. periodic supervision will be provided by the study team (combined audio and video remote conferencing or audio only, if video is not available). a sponsor's representative may provide in-person or remote technical support to the participant and their caregiver, as well as device training, as needed. subjects will undergo a detailed interim outcome assessment on the 45th (±4) day after the onset of the index stroke, and a detailed primary endpoint outcome assessment on the 90th (±15) day after the onset of the index stroke. in addition, a focused, long-term outcome assessment on the 180th (±15) day after the onset of the index stroke will be performed. stage 2 (day 90 (±15) to day 180 (±15) post-stroke) - open-label: subjects in both the active and the sham groups (active /sham), who were adherent to the treatment in stage 1 (defined as at least 35 completed treatment sessions in stage 1) will be allowed to continue to receive active emfstimulation treatments (i.e., with the electromagnetic therapy turned on). up to 5 active treatments per week will be completed, starting following the primary endpoint assessment follow-up visit at 90 (±15) days after the onset of the index stroke and continuing until the follow-up visit at 180 (±15) days after the onset of the index. technically, a maximum of 86 treatment sessions can be completed during stage 2, depending on the timing of the 90-day and 180-day follow-up visits. the blind, with respect to the group allocation in stage 1, would be maintained for all parties (participants, investigators, assessors and sponsor) until the trial completion and database lock. each session will last approximately 60 minutes and include 40 minutes of active stimulation. subjects will be asked to perform a home-based exercise program, concurrent with the study intervention. treatment sessions will be completed by the subject with the assistance of a trained caregiver, as needed. periodic supervision will be provided by the study team (combined audio and video remote conferencing or audio only, if video is not available). a sponsor's representative willmay provide in-person or remote technical support to the participant and their caregiver, as well as device training, as needed. all subjects, including those who decided not to continue to receive treatments in stage 2, will undergo a detailed follow-up assessment on the 180th (±15) day after the onset of the index stroke. stage 3 (day 180 (±15) to day 270 (±15) post-stroke): at this stage, no treatments sessions will take place. all subjects, including those who decided not to continue to receive treatments in stage 2, will undergo in addition, aa focused, long-term outcome assessment on the 180th 270th (±15) day after the onset of the index stroke will be performed. any adverse events and device deficiencies occurring during the period of subject's participation in the trial will be recorded. participation in the study will not replace any of the usual care patient should receive.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. mrs score of 3 or 4. 2. fma-ue score between 10-45 (inclusive) of impaired limb. 3. safe score \>0. 4. age 22 to 80 years of age (inclusive). 5. diagnosed with an ischemic stroke, confirmed by ct4 or mri5 imaging. 6. first ever ischemic stroke, or a recurring ischemic stroke6 occurring at least 3 months after the previous stroke (any stroke), without residual neurological impairment or disability before current stroke. 7. four to 21 days from stroke onset (or last known well). 8. pre-stroke mrs of 0. 9. able to sit with the investigational device for 40 consecutive minutes, in the opinion of the investigator or designee. 10. can follow a 3-step command, such as "take the paper, fold it in half, and return it to me". 11. willingness to participate in an exercise activity during study intervention sessions. 12. availability of a relative or other caregiver able to assist in operating an application installed on a mobile device, including a video call, and assist the participant with the exercising program. 13. if female, not pregnant (as confirmed by a urine or a blood test, or as determined by an official medical document) or breastfeeding and with no ability to become pregnant or on an acceptable method of contraception during the study 14. informed consent signed by subject. exclusion criteria: 1. hemineglect impairment (nihss item 11, score \>0). 2. implanted active electronic or passive mr-incompatible devices. 3. pre-existing major neurological condition (eg, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury) or pre-existing physical limitation that would interfere significantly with the subject's participation in the study and/or confound neurological or functional evaluation. 4. active epilepsy or currently taking anti-epileptic medication (indicated for the treatment of a seizure disorder), or any epileptic seizure in the last 5 years 5. significant visual disturbances, pre-existing or resulting from the index stroke, that cannot be corrected and that would interfere significantly with the subject's participation in the study and/or confound neurological or functional evaluation. 6. unstable serious illness/condition (eg, active cancer, severe heart failure, active major psychiatric condition) or life expectancy of less than 12 months. 7. a known severe allergic reaction to acrylic-based adhesives. 8. alcohol abuse and/or illicit drug abuse in the past 6 months, which is likely to influence ability to fully participate in the trial. 9. participation in another trial that would conflict with the current study or clinical endpoint interference may occur. 10. employee of the sponsor. 11. prisoner.