A Pilot Study of Neuro Hand Orthosis Program In Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation (NHOP)

St Luke's Hospital, Singapore

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Paralytic Stroke

Treatments: Other: Conventional upper limb stroke rehabilitation; Device: Neuro Hand Orthosis Program (NHOP)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00646347

slhdoc02

Details and patient eligibility

About

The implementation of Neuro Hand Orthosis Upper Limb Program can significantly improve the severe stroke paralytic arm in subacute rehabilitation as compared with the use of conventional therapy.

Full description

The neuro hand orthosis is based on a design of dynamic hand orthosis for orthopaedic patients. We attempt to apply such an orthosis on stroke patients to aid in regaining movement from severe paralytic arm by helping the patients to support their wrist and finger in a functional position for grasping. The patient is then encouraged to produce voluntary movement from the severe paralytic arm to transport an object (ball) from place to place either in sitting or standing position.

Since intensive arm usage is associated with neuro reorganisation, we propose designing a program with the neuro hand to encourage usage of the paralysed hand and help overcome the barriers of poor motivation and lack of arm usage through self practice program.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 89 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Post stroke between one week to three months and medically stable
• Right Hemiplegia with right hand dominant
• Able to stand with minimum assistance
• AMT score not lesser then 7/10
• Motricity Index Arm Score <36/100

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to commit to the Neuro Hand Orthosis Program (either as in or out patients) for 10 weeks according to the program regime or unable to follow the control group regime for 10 weeks
• Pre-existence shoulder or upper limb pain
• Pre-existence moderate or severe hand oedema
• Patients with terminal disease
• Resident of Institution (eg, Nursing home etc prior to admission)
• Pre-existing upper limb disability on affected arm
• Psychiatric problem

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

A

Experimental group

Description:

Conventional stroke upper limb rehabilitation is given

Treatment:

Other: Conventional upper limb stroke rehabilitation

B

Active Comparator group

Description:

Neuro Hand Orthosis Program is given

Treatment:

Device: Neuro Hand Orthosis Program (NHOP)