Using Tablets for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Post Acquired Brain Injury (TBL)

Sheba Medical Center

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Stroke; Brain Injury

Treatments: Other: GRASP self exercise; Device: Tablet - self exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02136433

SHEBA-13-0125-RK-CTIL

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of training using novel tablet applications for hand function, compared to traditional hand exercises. In addition, we aim to examine brain plasticity following treatment with the new tablet applications. We hypothesize that training with a tablet would prove to be more effective than traditional exercises. We expect to observe neuroplastic changes in the brain in patients who practiced finger movements using the tablet.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• At least one week post Brain injury or stroke
• Partial ability to open and close their hand (fingers)
• Full function of the hands prior to the injury or event
• Intact or Corrected vision
• Cognitively intact or mild impairment

Exclusion criteria

• Other neurological conditions besides the brain injury or stroke
• Orthopedic conditions of the upper extremity

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Tablet - self exercise

Experimental group

Description:

Existing tablet Apps that encourage finger movement in a fun manner while playing a game will be used. The apps will be taught to the participants and then they will be requested to exercise alone (or with family) everyday for one hour in addition to their regular rehabilitation sessions (Occupational, Physical Therapy, speech). The intervention will include 15-20 sessions of 60 minutes of self-training using a tablet.

Treatment:

Device: Tablet - self exercise

GRASP self exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

GRASP (Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program)(Harris et al., 2009)is an arm and hand exercise program developed for individuals with stroke with upper extremity impairments GRASP provides a method for patients to undertake a self-directed arm and hand exercise program. The exercises will be taught to the participants and then they will be requested to exercise alone (or with family) everyday for one hour in addition to their regular rehabilitation sessions (Occupational, Physical Therapy, speech). The intervention will include 15-20 sessions of 60 minutes of self-training

Treatment:

Other: GRASP self exercise