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Cerebral PalsyNCT05136612

The Effects Of Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation On Upper Extremity Functions And Gait Parameters

A study testing conventional physiothrapy and robotic rehabilitation in people with Cerebral Palsy, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Cerebral Palsy is defined as the cause of movement and posture disorders and activity limitation that develops in the fetal or infant brain that has not yet completed its development. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 18 years
Conditions the study is for
Cerebral Palsy
What is being tested?
conventional physiothrapy and robotic rehabilitation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Jan 2022to 1 Jan 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • The clinical type is spastic hemiparetic CP.
  • Upper extremity spasticity value between 0 and 3 according to Modified Ashworth.
  • To have the cognitive level to understand simple instructions.
  • It is largely the absence of auditory and visual loss.

Who cannot join

  • not volunteering to participate in the study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Gazi University

    Ankara

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Investigation Of The Effects Of Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation On Upper Extremity Functions And Gait Parameters in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is defined as the cause of movement and posture disorders and activity limitation that develops in the fetal or infant brain that has not yet completed its development. When the literature is examined, although upper extremity and lower extremity involvements are common in individuals with hemiparetic CP, treatment programs are mostly aimed at the lower extremities. However, studies report that the upper extremity is more severely affected than the lower extremities in individuals with hemiparetic CP and that upper extremity functions have an effect on walking. Although different treatment methods have positive effects, their superiority over each other cannot be clearly reported. In this case, new intervention strategies based on sound methodological and scientific foundations are needed. At this point, virtual reality applications and robotic rehabilitation programs have started to play an important role in CP rehabilitation along with current developments in technology-assisted rehabilitation. Robotic devices provide visual, auditory and sensory inputs, making the process fun, while making the individual active in the treatment. It also enables the child to achieve goal-directed movements in children with motor disabilities. Various gait problems are seen in individuals with CP. Therefore, although lower extremity movements during walking have been well analyzed in the literature, upper extremity functions and especially arm movements during walking have received less attention. Although human gait is perceived as a situation that concerns only the lower extremities, it actually includes the coordinated movements of all four extremities. Individuals with hemiplegic CP usually have a markedly deviated arm position and reduced arm movement. This situation also affects the gait and balance of individuals with hemiparetic CP. Individuals change their upper extremity kinematics while increasing their walking speed to optimize gait and increase balance. In the light of this information, practices aimed at improving upper extremity movement and function should be included in the rehabilitation program of patients with hemiparetic CP, considering a holistic approach. Considering all these, we thought that if we increase the functions of the upper extremities, we can improve walking, and we planned this study.

Read the detailed description

Cerebral Palsy is defined as the cause of movement and posture disorders and activity limitation that develops in the fetal or infant brain that has not yet completed its development. Although CP is the most common physical disorder in childhood, its incidence varies between 1.7-2 people per 1000 live births in developed countries. Although the impairments seen in CP are not progressive, as individuals with CP get older, their current motor function declines dramatically and their independence decreases or disappears as a result. These neurodevelopmental disorders are classified as hemiplegic, diplegic and quadriplegic according to the anatomically affected body parts. Along with motor damage, epilepsy, cognitive disorders, behavioral disorders, visual-hearing losses and sensory disorders can be seen in children with CP. In addition, upper extremity involvement is quite common in individuals with CP. Although upper extremity and lower extremity involvement are common in individuals with hemiparetic CP, treatment programs are mostly aimed at the lower extremities. However, studies report that the upper extremity is more severely affected than the lower extremities in individuals with hemiparetic CP and that upper extremity functions have an effect on walking . Although human gait is perceived as a situation that concerns only the lower extremities, it actually includes the coordinated movements of all four extremities. In a study, it was reported that it is beneficial to encourage arm movements during gait rehabilitation. It has been reported that although individuals with hemiparetic CP gain walking skills, they lag behind their peers in terms of upper extremity functions. This makes upper extremity rehabilitation important. There are various treatment modalities aimed at eliminating upper extremity dysfunction and reducing activity limitations. These; neurodevelopmental treatment approaches, orthoses, forced restrictive movement therapy, virtual reality and robotic rehabilitation applications. Although the different treatment methods have positive effects, their superiority to each other cannot be reported definitively. In this case, new intervention strategies based on sound methodological and scientific foundations are needed.

With the development of technology, the interest in robotic rehabilitation has also increased. The first study examining upper extremity robotic rehabilitation in CP was conducted in 2008. In this study, it was reported that robotic rehabilitation has positive effects on upper extremity motor functions and the use of upper extremities in daily living activities. In a thesis study conducted in our country, conventional physiotherapy and robotic rehabilitation were compared and it was concluded that hand skills improved in both groups, but the increase in the group receiving robotic rehabilitation was statistically significant. In the literature review, it was seen that studies on upper extremity robotic rehabilitation were few and their effects on gait parameters were not examined. In this context, it is thought that in our study, the effects of upper extremity robotic rehabilitation on upper extremity functions and gait parameters will be examined and it will contribute to the literature.

Method: This study was conducted to examine the effects of upper extremity robotic rehabilitation on upper extremity functions and gait parameters in individuals with hemiparetic CP; It is a prospective, randomized controlled, single-blind study. The study will be carried out in a single-blind manner, and the evaluator will not know which group the individual is in. 30 individuals with spastic hemiparetic CP, aged between 6-18 years, will be included in our study. The parents of each individual will be informed about the study and will read and sign the consent form stating that they voluntarily participated in the study.

Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
Being tested
conventional physiothrapy, robotic rehabilitation
Medical subject headings
Cerebral Palsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • conventional physiothrapyOther

    Conventional physiotherapy program will be applied to the control group for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, 45 minutes a day. Strengthening, dynamic stretching, coordination and balance exercises and functional exercises for upper and lower extremities will be applied in this treatment program.

  • robotic rehabilitationOther

    The study group will be included in the rehabilitation program with the Hocoma brand Armeo Spring pediatric upper extremity robot for 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks at hospital. Armeo spring robot enables the individual to perform active movement by carrying the weight of the upper extremity of children who have active movement in their upper extremities but do not have enough strength to overcome gravity with their upper extremities. The individual is actively involved in the study during the study. With the adjustments made, it becomes suitable for use for right and left extremities. In the process of working; The games named High Flyer, Frisbee, Balloons, Goalkepper, Save the Monster, Fishing, Helicopter Rescue, which are included in the Armeo Spring robot and created to increase shoulder, elbow and wrist movements, will be used.

Study groups in NCT05136612
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
control grupExperimentalconventional physiotherapy
Receives: Other: conventional physiothrapy
intervention groupExperimentalArmeo spring robotic rehabilitation
Receives: Other: conventional physiothrapy; Other: robotic rehabilitation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Sociodemographic Data Form

    Information such as gender, age, clinical type, extremity involvement, dominant extremity, birth weight, assistive devices used of the cases will be recorded in the prepared sociodemographic data form.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  2. Joint Range of Motion (ROM) Measurement

    Individuals' ROM degrees will be evaluated before and after the treatment using a universal goniometer in the supine position. Individuals' shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation, elbow and wrist flexion and extension painless active ROM measurements will be evaluated and recorded bilaterally.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  3. Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)

    The WeeFIM is derived from the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and includes 18 items involving six functional subscalcs. It is used to detect the functional independence levels of children and changes in time-dependent functions.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  4. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory

    The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) is a modular instrument for measuring health-related quality of life dimensions in children and adolescents ages 2-18 years. The PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales are multidimensional (physical, emotional, social, school/role functioning) child self-report and parent proxy report scales developed as a generic measure to be integrated with the PedsQL™ disease-specific modules.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  5. The Jebsen Hand Function Test

    The Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT) was developed to provide a standardized and objective evaluation of fine and gross motor hand function using simulated activities of daily living. It has 7 items and takes approximately 15-45 minutes to administer.

    Item 1: Writing, Item 2: Card Turning, Item 3: Small Common Objects, Item 4: Simulated feeding, Item 5: Checkers, Item 6: Large Light Object, Item 7: Large Heavy Objects

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  6. ABILHAND-Kids

    ABILHAND-Kids is a measure of manual ability for children with upper limb impairments. The scale measures a person's ability to manage daily activities that require the use of the upper limbs, whatever the strategies involved. The ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire assesses manual ability as a test focused on the child's difficulty perceived by the child's parents.

    The questionnaire was developed using the Rasch measurement model which provides a method to convert the raw scores into a linear measure located on a unidimensional scale.

    ABILHAND-Kids has been calibrated in children with cerebral palsy according to the difficulty of children in performing manual activities as perceived by their parents.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  7. The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test

    The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test is an outcome measure designed to evaluate movement patterns and hand function in children with cerebral palsy. The QUEST is both reliable and valid. There are 36 items that evaluate dissociated movements, grip, protective extension, and weight bearing.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  8. Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale

    This test was developed to evaluate the selective motor control of the upper extremity. It is a very practical and useful video-based assessment tool that can be applied in less than 15 minutes. No special equipment is required other than a video camera. It offers the opportunity to evaluate the selective movements of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers for both right and left extremities. The person administering the test passively shows the participant the movements they are asked to do. Then the participant is asked to actively perform the movement shown. While performing the participant movements; Head, trunk and other extremity movements are taken with a video camera to provide the opportunity to observe. The degree of selective motor control is determined as 0-3 points for each joint, depending on the person's ability to perform movements and their shape.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  9. Trunk Control Measurement Scale

    The Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) was used to evaluate the trunk control of the individuals participating in the study. The TCMS includes 15 items that measure static and dynamic sitting balance, the two main components of trunk control. The Static Sitting Balance Scale (item 1-5) evaluates the ability to maintain a stable trunk posture during movements of the upper and lower extremities. The Dynamic Sitting Balance Scale (item 6-15) is divided into two subscales, the selective movement control scale and the dynamic reaching scale. The total score is between 0-58. A higher score indicates better performance.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  10. 4D Diers Formetic

    In this study, the newly developed 4D Diers Formetic movable spine and surface topography evaluation device will be used. This device is equipped with a digital network camera that allows measurements at a maximum frequency of up to 50 frames per second. The camera uses CMOS sensors with a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. Thanks to these sensors and reflective markers, measurements are reconstructed in 3D. Thus, it allows real-time evaluation of posture and gait parameters. Evaluation is done without radiation and without contact.

    Measured: Before starting treatment

  11. Sociodemographic Data Form

    Information such as gender, age, clinical type, extremity involvement, dominant extremity, birth weight, assistive devices used of the cases will be recorded in the prepared sociodemographic data form.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  12. Joint Range of Motion (ROM) Measurement

    Individuals' ROM degrees will be evaluated before and after the treatment using a universal goniometer in the supine position. Individuals' shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation, elbow and wrist flexion and extension painless active ROM measurements will be evaluated and recorded bilaterally.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  13. Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)

    The WeeFIM is derived from the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and includes 18 items involving six functional subscalcs. It is used to detect the functional independence levels of children and changes in time-dependent functions.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  14. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory

    The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) is a modular instrument for measuring health-related quality of life dimensions in children and adolescents ages 2-18 years. The PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales are multidimensional (physical, emotional, social, school/role functioning) child self-report and parent proxy report scales developed as a generic measure to be integrated with the PedsQL™ disease-specific modules.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  15. The Jebsen Hand Function Test

    The Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT) was developed to provide a standardized and objective evaluation of fine and gross motor hand function using simulated activities of daily living. It has 7 items and takes approximately 15-45 minutes to administer.

    Item 1: Writing, Item 2: Card Turning, Item 3: Small Common Objects, Item 4: Simulated feeding, Item 5: Checkers, Item 6: Large Light Object, Item 7: Large Heavy Objects

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  16. ABILHAND-Kids

    ABILHAND-Kids is a measure of manual ability for children with upper limb impairments. The scale measures a person's ability to manage daily activities that require the use of the upper limbs, whatever the strategies involved. The ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire assesses manual ability as a test focused on the child's difficulty perceived by the child's parents.

    The questionnaire was developed using the Rasch measurement model which provides a method to convert the raw scores into a linear measure located on a unidimensional scale.

    ABILHAND-Kids has been calibrated in children with cerebral palsy according to the difficulty of children in performing manual activities as perceived by their parents.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  17. The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test

    The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test is an outcome measure designed to evaluate movement patterns and hand function in children with cerebral palsy. The QUEST is both reliable and valid. There are 36 items that evaluate dissociated movements, grip, protective extension, and weight bearing.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  18. Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale

    This test was developed to evaluate the selective motor control of the upper extremity. It is a very practical and useful video-based assessment tool that can be applied in less than 15 minutes. No special equipment is required other than a video camera. It offers the opportunity to evaluate the selective movements of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers for both right and left extremities. The person administering the test passively shows the participant the movements they are asked to do. Then the participant is asked to actively perform the movement shown. While performing the participant movements; Head, trunk and other extremity movements are taken with a video camera to provide the opportunity to observe. The degree of selective motor control is determined as 0-3 points for each joint, depending on the person's ability to perform movements and their shape.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  19. Trunk Control Measurement Scale

    The Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) was used to evaluate the trunk control of the individuals participating in the study. The TCMS includes 15 items that measure static and dynamic sitting balance, the two main components of trunk control. The Static Sitting Balance Scale (item 1-5) evaluates the ability to maintain a stable trunk posture during movements of the upper and lower extremities. The Dynamic Sitting Balance Scale (item 6-15) is divided into two subscales, the selective movement control scale and the dynamic reaching scale. The total score is between 0-58. A higher score indicates better performance.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

  20. 4D Diers Formetic

    In this study, the newly developed 4D Diers Formetic movable spine and surface topography evaluation device will be used. This device is equipped with a digital network camera that allows measurements at a maximum frequency of up to 50 frames per second. The camera uses CMOS sensors with a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. Thanks to these sensors and reflective markers, measurements are reconstructed in 3D. Thus, it allows real-time evaluation of posture and gait parameters. In the evaluation, the individual's single stance left, right single stance, stance phase right, stance right left and double stance will be recorded in meters.

    Measured: After 6 weeks of treatment (treatment is 18 sessions)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Nov 2021
  2. Study start1 Jan 2022
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2022
  4. Study completion1 Jan 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Individuals with CP will be assigned to group 1 or group 2 by simple randomization using the "Research Randomizer" program (https://www.randomizer.org/) prior to treatment.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05136612
Sponsor's protocol ID
2021 -591
Status last verified
Nov 2022
First submitted
27 Oct 2021
Last updated
14 Apr 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • El-Shamy SM. Efficacy of Armeo(R) Robotic Therapy Versus Conventional Therapy on Upper Limb Function in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Mar;97(3):164-169. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000852.

    PubMed 29059068
  • Dixit S, Tedla JS. Effectiveness of robotics in improving upper extremity functions among people with neurological dysfunction: a systematic review. Int J Neurosci. 2019 Apr;129(4):369-383. doi: 10.1080/00207454.2018.1536051. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

    PubMed 30311823

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing conventional physiothrapy and robotic rehabilitation in people with Cerebral Palsy, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Apr 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Sociodemographic Data Form (time frame: Before starting treatment). The study lists 20 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05136612, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Apr 2023.

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