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HemiparesisSAESNCT06536634

Effects and Mechanisms of Sensory Afferent Electrostimulation on Upper Limb Function in Patients With Hemiparesis

A study testing SAES and TAU in people with Hemiparesis and Unilateral Cerebral Palsy, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The goal for this project is to investigate the effects of a 5-week SAES therapy in addition to conventional therapy on both behavioural (sensory and motor) and neurological measures and the underlying mechanisms of treatment response. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 18 years
Conditions the study is for
Hemiparesis, Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
What is being tested?
SAES and TAU
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
34 participants
Where
1 siteSwitzerland
Study dates
1 Jan 2025to 1 Oct 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

  • Diagnosis of unilateral cerebral palsy/hemiparesis, following unilateral brain lesion, e.g. perinatal/childhood stroke (acquired prior to the age of 16 years)
  • consistent and stable limitation of hand functions
  • chronic state (time since lesion >2 years)
  • aged 6-18 years
  • parental informed consent if <14 years, informed consent of the patient if >14 years

Who cannot join

  • psychiatric disease that prevents the participant form informed participation and compliance in an adequate manner/setting
  • Bilateral brain lesion
  • Recent Botulinum toxin-injections injections (UL, < 6 months)
  • Hand surgery on paretic hand < 2 years
  • Trauma to UL in the last year
  • Medical conditions that prevent training of the UL
Show all 16Show fewer
  • Participation in other afferent stimulation studies
  • Electrical stimulation therapy in the last 6 months
  • Intensive training of the UL (therapy more than 1x/week, < 6 months)
  • If MRI and TMS is performed, additionally:
  • MRI and TMS contradictions, such as
  • implanted Metal devices (e.g. braces, implant)
  • implanted shunt system
  • in girls and women: pregnancy
  • claustrophobia
  • Active epilepsy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Alisa Gschaidmeier, Dr. med. contact

031 632 94 24

alisa.gschaidmeier@insel.ch

Sebastian Grunt, Prof. Dr. contact

031 632 94 24

Switzerland1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Inselspital

    Bern, 3010

    Sebastian Grunt, Prof. Dr.

    Recruiting

Other trials in Switzerland

About this study

The goal for this project is to investigate the effects of a 5-week SAES therapy in addition to conventional therapy on both behavioural (sensory and motor) and neurological measures and the underlying mechanisms of treatment response.

The goal of this project to investigate the effects of a 5-week SAES therapy in addition to conventional therapy.

Read more

The aim is to investigate whether SAES is more effective than conventional therapy alone in children with hemiparesis. The investigators will assess the efficacy of SAES using novel clinical assessment such as kinematic evaluations and modern neurophysiological measures, namely transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI).

It will be expected a benefit for children with hemiparesis after SAES training which may lead to improved bimanual and unimanual functions. Benefits have been reported in adults and in preliminary studies also in children.

Type of study: Randomised controlled clinical trial

Participants with hemiparesis will be included in the study. The study group will receive the SAES training with a glove or adhesive electrodes as a home-based training during 30 minutes per day, 5x/week, for 5 weeks, combined with conventional occupation therapy.

Researchers will compare the SAES group with a group of patients with comparable conditions who receive the prescribed conventional occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy (treatment as usual, TAU)

Read the detailed description

Children with hemiparesis present with sensory and motor deficits, which negatively affect quality of life and decrease participation in everyday life. To date, no treatment is yet effective to decrease these impairments. A recent systematic review confirms that unimanual and bimanual trainings effectively improve upper limb function in children with hemiparesis. However, it is still challenging to find the best individual training method for children with hemiparesis, as there is much variability in treatment response.

In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of non-invasive electrostimulation of the hand, called Sensory Afferent Electrostimulation (SAES) will be investigated. SAES triggers action potentials in afferent nerve fibres leading to increased sensory afferent input in the sensorimotor regions of the brain. Through this, SAES can enhance excitability of the motor cortex and of upper limb performance. While proven effective in adults after stroke, SAES is safe with promising positive results in a very small study in children with hemiparesis. However, the investigation of efficacy of SAES on sensory and motor functions was so far neglected. Modern stimulation and imaging methods revealed that, whole-hand SAES induced increased strength of corticospinal projections and intracortical change (measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation), which may indicate long-term potentiation mechanisms. Furthermore, in a functional MRI study, SAES induced increased motor cortex activity. Hence, resting state fMRI will allow to understand the efficacy of SAES on the topographically connectivity of the motor and sensorimotor network at rest.

The experimental intervention consists of SAES with a glove or adhesive electrodes (e.g. Cefar Reha X2) at 20Hz, 300µs, intensity between 2-10mA, during 30 minutes per day, 5x/week, for 5 weeks, combined with conventional occupation therapy. The subsequent therapy sessions will take place at home, with in-between telephone checks.

The control intervention (treatment as usual, TAU) consists of the prescribed conventional occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy. The evaluation of the UL sensory and motor function will be conducted at the University Children's Hospital in Bern by blind assessors, expert in the clinical measures, and will take place before and after each intervention period and at 12-weeks follow-up.

Being tested
SAES, TAU
Keywords
Sensory afferent electrostimulation, MRI, TMS, Motor function, Sensory function, Sensor
Medical subject headings
Paresis

What participants receive

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

  • SAESOther

    The experimental intervention consists of SAES with a glove or adhesive electrodes at 20Hz, 300µs, intensity between 2-10mA, during 30 minutes per day, 5x/week, for 5 weeks, combined with conventional occupation therapy. The subsequent therapy sessions will take place at home, with in-between telephone checks.

  • TAUOther

    Treatment as usual

Study groups in NCT06536634
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
SAESExperimentalTreatment group (SAES) Interventions: Sensory afferent electrical stimulation (SAES)
Receives: Other: SAES
Control groupOtherThe control intervention (treatment as usual, TAU) consists of the prescribed conventional occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy.
Receives: Other: TAU

What is being measured

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

  1. Bimanual hand function

    Will be measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA)

    Measured: 5 weeks (After the treatment)

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. Bimanual hand function

    Will be measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA)

    Measured: 2 assessments: baseline, follow up (12 weeks)

  2. Bimanual hand function in everyday life activities

    Will be measured with the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI)

    Measured: 2 assessments: baseline, follow up (12 weeks)

  3. Spasticity

    Will be assessed via clinical assessments (Modified Ashworth scale)

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  4. Strength

    Will be assessed via clinical assessments (Dynamometer)

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  5. Sensitivity

    Will be assessed via clinical assessments (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments)

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  6. Unimanual hand function

    Will be assessed via clinical assessments (Jebson-Taylor Hand function test)

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  7. Stereognosis

    Will be assessed via clinical assessments (Stereognosis test with Jamar toolkit)

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  8. Hand function during daily activities

    Will be assessed via questionnaires (CHEQ)

    Measured: 2 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks)

  9. Mirror movements

    Will be assessed via clinical assessments (Woods and Teuber Scale)

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  10. Hand/wrist position

    The Zancolli Wrist Classification categorizes the most commonly observed wrist and hand deformities of children with spastic CP and the relative contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles to hand deformity and function.

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  11. Hand/Finger position

    To measure the hand/finger position the House classification for the thumb in palm pattern will be assessed.

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  12. Upper limb kinematic activity

    Will be assessed with novel sensory measures in an instrumented apartment using DeepLabCut software

    Measured: 2 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks)

  13. MRI - Neurophysiological outcomes

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain will be conducted in a 3-T scanner, lasting approximately one hour (including preparation). Structural (T1-weighted and T2-weighted) and FLAIR imaging will be performed. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) will be used to study the spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal.

    Arterial spin labelling will be performed to assess blood flow imbalance.

    Measured: 2 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks)

  14. TMS - Neurophysiological outcomes

    Neuro-navigated TMS will be used at the Department for Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Bern. Neuro-navigated TMS allows a 3D brain reconstruction to topographically map the neurophysiological responses at the cortical and subcortical levels, using single-pulse (resting and active motor thresholds, motor evoked potential amplitudes and latencies and stimulus recruitment curves) and paired-pulse (intracortical interactions) protocols.

    Measured: 2 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks)

  15. Quality of life of Children with hemiparesis

    Will be assessed via the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire, which was designed to address generic health related quality of life.

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  16. Quality of life of Children with hemiparesis regarding hand function

    Will be assessed via the Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ). It has been developed for children and adolescents with decreased function in one hand, to evaluate the experience of children and adolescents in using the affected hand in activities where usually two hands are needed.

    Measured: 3 assessments: baseline, after the treatment (5 weeks), follow up (12 weeks)

  17. Reported Pain

    Will be assessed via a visual analogue scale regarding the experienced pain on the paretic hand before and after the electrical stimulation.

    Measured: Daily during the treatment phase (duration of treatment phase 5 weeks)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted5 Aug 2024
  2. Study start1 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completion1 Oct 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Oct 2027 (estimated)

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
A randomized controlled Bayesian phase II trial with a follow-up examination after 12 weeks mwas designed. The study participants will be recruited via the University Children's Hospital Bern and the Swiss Cerebral Palsy Registry.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
34 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06536634
Sponsor's protocol ID
2024-00982
Acronym
SAES
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
10 Jul 2024
Last updated
20 Nov 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Gschaidmeier A, Lory K, Mori K, Moser A, Nef T, Seidel K, Simon-Martinez C, Von Gunten M, Wermelinger J, Wiest R, Everts R, Grunt S. Sensory afferent electrical stimulation to improve upper limb function in children with hemiparesis - a randomised controlled trial (SenseUp study protocol). Front Pediatr. 2026 Aug 12;14:1886291. doi: 10.3389/fped.2026.1886291. eCollection 2026.

    PubMed 42656484

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing SAES and TAU in people with Hemiparesis and Unilateral Cerebral Palsy, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.

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 5 inclusion and 16 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Nov 2025. 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 Switzerland. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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

Contact Alisa Gschaidmeier, Dr. med. (031 632 94 24, alisa.gschaidmeier@insel.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Bimanual hand function (time frame: 5 weeks (After the treatment)). 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 NCT06536634, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 20 Nov 2025.

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