EMG-Controlled Game to Retrain Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Patterns Following Stroke

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to develop and test if upper limb task practice and muscle activity training improve upper limb function in stroke survivors. Participants will be asked to come to the laboratory 3 times a week for 6 weeks to receive upper limb task practice and/or muscle activity training. Participants will also come to the laboratory for additional 3 visits for assessments of upper extremity function. The total duration of the study will be 2.5 months.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to develop and test if upper limb task practice and muscle activity training improve upper limb function in stroke survivors. Participants will be asked to come to the laboratory 3 times a week for 6 weeks to receive upper limb task practice and/or muscle activity training. Participants will also come to the laboratory for additional 3 visits for assessments of upper extremity function. The total duration of the study will be 2.5 months.

Official Title
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EMG-Controlled Game to Retrain Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Patterns Following Stroke

Conditions
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Stroke

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: practice muscle activation patterns
* Behavioral: task practice


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18+ years old Stroke more than 6 months ago Moderate upper limb impairment Cognitive ability to participate in the study procedure Ability to see the full computer screen Exclusion Criteria: Concurrent upper limb rehabilitation Severe spasticity prohibiting voluntary muscle contraction to participate in training Change in spasticity medication or botulinum toxin injection in the upper limb within 3 months prior to or during enrollment Total sensory loss Comorbidity (e.g., orthopaedic or premorbid neurologic condition) that limit upper limb movement and/or participation in the intervention Language barrier or cognitive impairment that precludes providing consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: 2-arm randomized controlled trial
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: EMG + task training<br>Train with EMG-controlled games and functional task practice | Behavioral: practice muscle activation patterns<br>* practice upper limb muscle activation patterns using EMG-controlled games<br>Behavioral: task practice<br>* practice functional upper limb tasks<br>|
| Active Comparator: task training<br>Train with functional task practice for a total of 18 sessions | Behavioral: task practice<br>* practice functional upper limb tasks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wolf Motor Function Test | Functional abilities scale for completing upper limb tasks | within 1 week from intervention completion | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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upper limb, rehabilitation, EMG muscle activation pattern, serious game, virtual reality, biofeedback