About this trial
The purpose of the study is to explore the feasibility of using a wearable device, called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI), to improve arm movement in people who have had a stroke.
Impaired arm movement after stroke is caused not just by weakness, but also by impaired coordination between joints due to abnormal co-activation of muscles. These abnormal co-activation patterns are thought to be due to abnormal movement planning.The MCI aims to reduce abnormal co-activation by providing feedback about individual muscle activations.
This randomized, controlled, blinded study will test the home use of an MCI in chronic and acute stroke survivors.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Hemiparesis from first ever stroke at least 6 months prior to screening
Severe motor impairment (FMA of 7-30)
At least some voluntary shoulder and elbow muscle activation.
Hemiparesis from first ever stroke within the past 21 days
Disqualifiers
Cognitive impairment with at least moderately impaired attention, or unable to follow instructions of the MCI task
Visual impairment (such as hemianopia) preventing full view of the screen
Anesthesia or neglect in the affected arm, or visual hemineglect (score of 2 on the NIH Stroke Scale Extinction and Inattention subtest).
Participation in another study on the affected arm within 6 weeks of enrollment or any pharmacological study
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- MCI
- Sham MCI
Treatment groups
6
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
Sponsors and collaborators
Northwestern University
Lead sponsor
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Collaborator
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator