Robotic-assisted Therapy to Improve Manual Dexterity in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This is an intervention study including a baseline data collection, 6 weeks of robot-assisted training targeting hand dexterity, and a post-intervention data collection. The study will be conducted in the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a robot-assisted training on hand dexterity and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. Additionally, the investigators will study the relationship between muscle synergies and the outcomes of robot-assisted training.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
Participants will be assessed 2 times - before and after training with the robot. All the testing and training will be done at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and will include:
Clinical tests:
-
A physical examination during which the investigators will measure range of motion and muscular strength at the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers.
-
A test to assess spasticity at the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrist.
-
A test to evaluate upper extremity function.
-
A test to assess unilateral gross manual dexterity.
-
A test to assess quality of life (social wellbeing and acceptance, feelings about functioning, participation and physical health, emotional wellbeing and self-esteem, access to service, pain and impact of disability, and family health).
Muscle activity tests:
• A test to get detailed measures of how well participant can perform movements. The measures collected will include the movements of fingers, hands, and arms while picking up different objects. Movements will be tracked by attaching small reflective markers to the fingers, hands, and arms of the participant. Special cameras will be used to collect data. Special sensors (called electromyographic - EMG - sensors) will be attached to the hands and arms to tell the investigators when and how muscles are recruited to generate the movements.
Training with the Robot:
Study participants will undergo robot-assisted training for 18 times - up to 4 times per week during a period of approximately 7 weeks. The training sessions will be carried out by trained study staff. The robot will assist study participants to perform the movements while they attempt to move their fingers to control computer games. The assistance provided by the robot will be adjusted to the ability of each participant to move their hand. Each training session will last about 1 hour. This will include about 20 minutes of stretching exercises, setup time, and warm-up exercises. Study participants will be encouraged to ask for rest breaks whenever needed. The investigators will closely monitor study participants during all study sessions.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Robotic-assisted training of the hand Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
Device: Robotic-assisted training of the hand
Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout).
Other Names:
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Change in Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) Score - Section on Dissociated Movements [Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention]
Upper extremity function assessment (section on dissociated movements). The QUEST is a tool that evaluates the quality of upper extremity function. Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100 for each assessment. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention.
- Change in Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) Score - Section on Grasp [Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention]
Upper extremity function assessment (section on grasp). The QUEST is a tool that evaluates the quality of upper extremity function. Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100 for each assessment. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Change in Box and Block Test Score [Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention]
Gross manual dexterity assessment. The test is administered by using a wooden box divided in two compartments. At the beginning of the test, 150 wooden blocks are positioned in one of these compartments. Then study participants are instructed to move, one by one, the maximum number of wooden blocks from one compartment to the other one in a time interval of 1 minute. The result of the test is the number of wooden blocks moved in 1 minute. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention.
- Change in Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire Score - Child [Data collected at baseline, at completion of the 7-week intervention, and at one month follow-up]
Questionnaire for evaluation of quality of life as reported by the child. The questionnaire covers different domains (e.g. social wellbeing and acceptance). Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. The change from baseline to follow-up is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered at one month follow-up.
- Change in Number of Muscle Synergies [Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention]
Subjects will be asked to reach and grasp objects of different sizes and shapes. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity will be collected from 16 muscles of the upper-limb. EMG data is then analyzed using a mathematical technique (referred to as non-negative matrix factorization) that allows researchers to quantify patterns of co-activation among muscles. The number of muscle synergies necessary to accurately reconstruct the individual EMG channel recordings will be herein considered.
- Change in Modified Ashworth Scale Score [Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention]
Upper extremity muscle spasticity assessment. This scale is administered by manually moving the subject's body segments and evaluate if an involuntary (reflex) response of muscles interfere with the passive movement. If testing a muscle that primarily flexes a joint, the rehabilitation specialist evaluating the subject places the joint in a maximally flexed position and moves it to a position of maximal extension over one second. If testing a muscle that primarily extends a joint, the rehabilitation specialist evaluating the subject places the joint in a maximally extended position and moves to a position of maximal flexion over one second. Spasticity causes a contraction resisting the movement. The strength of the contraction (i.e. force involuntarily generated by muscles) is evaluated on a scale from 0 to 4. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention.
- Change in Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire Score - Caregiver [Data collected at baseline, at completion of the 7-week intervention, and at one month follow-up]
Questionnaire for evaluation of quality of life as reported by the caregiver. The questionnaire covers different domains (e.g. social wellbeing and acceptance). Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. The change from baseline to follow-up is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered at one month follow-up.
- Synergy Similarity [Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention]
Subjects will be asked to reach and grasp objects of different sizes and shapes. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity will be collected from 16 muscles of the upper-limb. EMG data is then analyzed using a mathematical technique (referred to as non-negative matrix factorization) that allows researchers to quantify patterns of co-activation among muscles. The similarity among muscle synergies is estimated by computing the scalar product between corresponding muscle synergies. Results are reported individually for each muscle synergy. The minimum scalar product is 0 and it means that the synergies (pre- vs post-interventions) are highly dissimilar. The maximum scalar product is 1 and it means that the synergies (pre- vs post-interventions) are identical.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) with upper-limb impairment
-
6 to 18 years of age.
-
Manual Ability Classification Scale Level II or III.
-
Ability to communicate pain or discomfort.
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Use of upper-limb robotics for motor training within the last 3 months.
-
Contraindication to robotic-assisted manual training such acute and pronounced pain symptoms despite conventional pain therapy of the upper-limb, lack of compliance, high-grade ataxia, advanced osteoporosis, and fractures of the upper-limb.
-
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of 4 in the upper-limb.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital | Boston | Massachusetts | United States | 02129 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Paolo Bonato, PhD, Spauding Rehabilitation Hospital
Study Documents (Full-Text)
More Information
Publications
None provided.- 2016P000926
Study Results
Participant Flow
| Recruitment Details | |
|---|---|
| Pre-assignment Detail |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Period Title: Overall Study | |
| STARTED | 6 |
| COMPLETED | 4 |
| NOT COMPLETED | 2 |
Baseline Characteristics
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Robotic-assisted training of the hand: Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Overall Participants | 6 |
| Age (years) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ] | |
| Mean (Standard Deviation) [years] |
12.0
(4.0)
|
| Sex: Female, Male (Count of Participants) | |
| Female |
3
50%
|
| Male |
3
50%
|
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) (Count of Participants) | |
| Hispanic or Latino |
2
33.3%
|
| Not Hispanic or Latino |
4
66.7%
|
| Unknown or Not Reported |
0
0%
|
| Race (NIH/OMB) (Count of Participants) | |
| American Indian or Alaska Native |
0
0%
|
| Asian |
0
0%
|
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
0
0%
|
| Black or African American |
0
0%
|
| White |
4
66.7%
|
| More than one race |
0
0%
|
| Unknown or Not Reported |
2
33.3%
|
| Region of Enrollment (Count of Participants) | |
| United States |
6
100%
|
| Diagnosis (Count of Participants) | |
| Diagnosis - Cerebral Palsy |
5
83.3%
|
| Diagnosis - Stroke |
1
16.7%
|
Outcome Measures
| Title | Change in Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) Score - Section on Dissociated Movements |
|---|---|
| Description | Upper extremity function assessment (section on dissociated movements). The QUEST is a tool that evaluates the quality of upper extremity function. Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100 for each assessment. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were unable to collect data from 3 study participants. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 3 |
| Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale] |
3.5
(4.4)
|
| Title | Change in Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) Score - Section on Grasp |
|---|---|
| Description | Upper extremity function assessment (section on grasp). The QUEST is a tool that evaluates the quality of upper extremity function. Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100 for each assessment. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were unable to collect data from 3 study participants. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 3 |
| Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale] |
12.1
(20.2)
|
| Title | Change in Box and Block Test Score |
|---|---|
| Description | Gross manual dexterity assessment. The test is administered by using a wooden box divided in two compartments. At the beginning of the test, 150 wooden blocks are positioned in one of these compartments. Then study participants are instructed to move, one by one, the maximum number of wooden blocks from one compartment to the other one in a time interval of 1 minute. The result of the test is the number of wooden blocks moved in 1 minute. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were unable to collect data from 3 study participants. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 3 |
| Mean (Standard Deviation) [wooden blocks] |
1.0
(2.0)
|
| Title | Change in Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire Score - Child |
|---|---|
| Description | Questionnaire for evaluation of quality of life as reported by the child. The questionnaire covers different domains (e.g. social wellbeing and acceptance). Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. The change from baseline to follow-up is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered at one month follow-up. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline, at completion of the 7-week intervention, and at one month follow-up |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were unable to collect data from 4 study participants. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 2 |
| Baseline vs post-intervention |
1.1
(2.3)
|
| Baseline vs follow-up assessment |
2.4
(4.1)
|
| Title | Change in Number of Muscle Synergies |
|---|---|
| Description | Subjects will be asked to reach and grasp objects of different sizes and shapes. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity will be collected from 16 muscles of the upper-limb. EMG data is then analyzed using a mathematical technique (referred to as non-negative matrix factorization) that allows researchers to quantify patterns of co-activation among muscles. The number of muscle synergies necessary to accurately reconstruct the individual EMG channel recordings will be herein considered. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were able to collect data of sufficient quality to enable the proposed analyses only for one subject. We observed 5 muscle synergies both at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 1 |
| Number [muscle synergies] |
0
|
| Title | Change in Modified Ashworth Scale Score |
|---|---|
| Description | Upper extremity muscle spasticity assessment. This scale is administered by manually moving the subject's body segments and evaluate if an involuntary (reflex) response of muscles interfere with the passive movement. If testing a muscle that primarily flexes a joint, the rehabilitation specialist evaluating the subject places the joint in a maximally flexed position and moves it to a position of maximal extension over one second. If testing a muscle that primarily extends a joint, the rehabilitation specialist evaluating the subject places the joint in a maximally extended position and moves to a position of maximal flexion over one second. Spasticity causes a contraction resisting the movement. The strength of the contraction (i.e. force involuntarily generated by muscles) is evaluated on a scale from 0 to 4. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were unable to collect data from 5 study participants. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 1 |
| Number [units on a scale] |
-0.5
|
| Title | Change in Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire Score - Caregiver |
|---|---|
| Description | Questionnaire for evaluation of quality of life as reported by the caregiver. The questionnaire covers different domains (e.g. social wellbeing and acceptance). Data is reported on a scale from 0 to 100. The change from baseline to post-intervention is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered post-intervention. The change from baseline to follow-up is calculated by taking the difference between the value gathered pre-intervention and the value gathered at one month follow-up. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline, at completion of the 7-week intervention, and at one month follow-up |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were unable to collect data from 3 study participants. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 3 |
| Baseline vs post-intervention |
4.0
(5.1)
|
| Baseline vs follow-up assessment |
4.0
(4.1)
|
| Title | Synergy Similarity |
|---|---|
| Description | Subjects will be asked to reach and grasp objects of different sizes and shapes. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity will be collected from 16 muscles of the upper-limb. EMG data is then analyzed using a mathematical technique (referred to as non-negative matrix factorization) that allows researchers to quantify patterns of co-activation among muscles. The similarity among muscle synergies is estimated by computing the scalar product between corresponding muscle synergies. Results are reported individually for each muscle synergy. The minimum scalar product is 0 and it means that the synergies (pre- vs post-interventions) are highly dissimilar. The maximum scalar product is 1 and it means that the synergies (pre- vs post-interventions) are identical. |
| Time Frame | Data collected at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention |
Outcome Measure Data
| Analysis Population Description |
|---|
| We were able to collect data of sufficient quality to enable the proposed analyses only for one subject. We observed 5 muscle synergies both at baseline and at completion of the 7-week intervention. |
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand |
|---|---|
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). |
| Measure Participants | 1 |
| Similarity for synergy 1 |
0.87
|
| Similarity for synergy 2 |
0.94
|
| Similarity for synergy 3 |
0.96
|
| Similarity for synergy 4 |
0.77
|
| Similarity for synergy 5 |
0.83
|
Adverse Events
| Time Frame | During each 1-hour session, for a total of 18 sessions over 7 weeks | |
|---|---|---|
| Adverse Event Reporting Description | ||
| Arm/Group Title | Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand | |
| Arm/Group Description | Training will be performed using the Amadeo®. The computer-controlled device maintains participants' forearm in a secure position using Velcro straps. Each training session will include 30 minutes of active movements that can be divided into up to 3 bouts of 10 minutes depending on participant's fatigue. Training will take place up to 4 times per week for a total of 18 sessions over up to 7 weeks. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes (including setup, training, and rest between each bout). | |
All Cause Mortality |
||
| Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand | ||
| Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | |
| Total | 0/6 (0%) | |
Serious Adverse Events |
||
| Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand | ||
| Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | |
| Total | 0/6 (0%) | |
Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Events |
||
| Robotic-assisted Training of the Hand | ||
| Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | |
| Total | 1/6 (16.7%) | |
| General disorders | ||
| Unanticipated adverse event | 1/6 (16.7%) | 1 |
Limitations/Caveats
More Information
Certain Agreements
All Principal Investigators ARE employed by the organization sponsoring the study.
There is NOT an agreement between Principal Investigators and the Sponsor (or its agents) that restricts the PI's rights to discuss or publish trial results after the trial is completed.
Results Point of Contact
| Name/Title | Paolo Bonato |
|---|---|
| Organization | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital |
| Phone | 617-952-6319 |
| pbonato@mgh.harvard.edu |
- 2016P000926