Schulze Muscular Dystrophy Ability Clinical Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of the Schulze study is to evaluate the function of the upper limbs of subjects diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders, with and without use of the Abilitech Assist device in the clinic and home environments. Functional outcomes will include documenting active range of motion and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) using the standardized Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Role Evaluation of Activities of Life (REAL) assessments. Secondary objectives are to assess the safety record and report on adverse events (AEs) and parameters related to device usage, including device usage time and the time required to don/doff the device. Secondary objectives also include characterization of user upper limb performance based on etiology.

Official Title
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Schulze Muscular Dystrophy Ability Clinical Study

Conditions
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FSHD, Muscular Dystrophies, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Abilitech Assist


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Subjects between 10 and 99 years of age, with onset of neuromuscular conditions that cause quadriparesis MMT score of 1-3 in the elbow, wrist and hand; and a MMT score of 2-3 in the shoulder of at least one of the subject's arms Ability of subject to raise their forearm off of their lap or laptray Willingness to comply and participate with the study protocol and attend the study sessions Ability to communicate verbally and respond to questions and commands Ability to provide informed consent Selected for participation based on investigator discretion Exclusion Criteria: Use of invasive ventilator Open wounds or chronic pressure sores on upper extremities, neck, back or torso Significantly unstable upper extremity joints Unhealed bone fractures in the upper extremities Active rotator cuff tear, grade 2 or 3 Surgical fixations limiting full passive range of motion Uncontrolled upper-limb spasticity that significantly limits normal range of motion Uncontrollable pain in the neck, shoulders or upper limbs Ability to fully raise both hands simultaneously above their head with ease as defined by the investigator Lack passive shoulder abduction of 120 degrees Lack 90 degrees of passive elbow extension Unable to follow instructions Exhibit significant behavioral problems Inability to provide consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 10 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Abilitech Assist<br>The Abilitech™ Assist device is a passively powered orthotic device designed to support and assist the arms of patients with neuromuscular weakness for activities of daily living. | Device: Abilitech Assist<br>* The Abilitech™ Assist is an externally worn device supported by a body frame, which is designed to support and assist the arms in activities of daily living (ADL's). The Abilitech Assist is comprised of three parts: a modular body vest that adjusts to accommodate different body sizes, a single arm orthosis that attaches to the body vest, and an external power pack and controller for tensioning the arm's internal springs to adjust the arm's level of assist. The device augments a user's native arm function to provide lift assistance. Software customizes the spring tension for the level of assist required. The user can turn the system ON/OFF and toggle and adjust the level of assist (e.g., low, medium or high assist) using a pushbutton controller.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) | The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure is an evidence-based outcome measure designed to capture a client's self-perception of performance in everyday living, over time. The COPM results in two main scores - PERFORMANCE and SATISFACTION - each out of 10. PERFORMANCE and SATISFACTION scores can be generated for up to 5 individual occupational performance problems. Average PERFORMANCE and SATISFACTION scores can be calculated by summing individual problem scores and dividing by the number of problems. Change in scores for both PERFORMANCE and SATISFACTION can be calculated after a reassessment interval and a comparison of individual's score differences from Time 1 (assessment) to Time 2 (re-assessment). Increases in scores indicate improvement in task performance and satisfaction. | Change from Baseline before device intervention (30 days), and after device intervention (60 days) | 
| Roll Evaluation of Activities of Life (REAL) assessment | The REAL is an instrument to help professionals assess an individuals ability to care for themselves at home, at school and in the community. This assessment includes 136 total items with two domains(ADL: 78 items, IADL:58 items) that are rated using a 4-point scale (0-3) to describe whether an individual is unable, sleds, occasionally, or frequently able to complete a task. Scores are summed for each domain and compared over time with increases in scores indicating improvement in each domain. | Change from Baseline before device intervention (30 days), and after device intervention (60 days) |