Clinical Study to Evaluate the Implantation of the ActiGait Drop Foot Stimulator System

• Sponsor: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH (Industry)
• Overall Status: Completed
• CT.gov ID: NCT01116466
• Collaborator: (none)
• Enrollment: 5
• Arm: 1
• Duration (Months): 7

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of surgical procedure involving ActiGait - implantable drop foot stimulator.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Stroke; Hemiplegia	Device: ActiGait	N/A

Detailed Description

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and other developed countries and a major source of disability. Prognosis for regaining the ability to walk is good, with 64% of those initially dependent in walking regaining independence by 3 months. However, many gait abnormalities persist. A conservative estimate suggests that 20% of stroke survivors have a drop foot. Drop foot following stroke is caused by paresis of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles. It prevents the patient from effectively swinging the leg during walking, causing an abnormal gait characterized by hip hitching and circumduction and toe catch. Walking speed in people with drop foot is often significantly reduced and the risk of stumbling or falling is high. The conventional treatment for drop foot is an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). While AFOs are appropriate for many patients, in certain patient groups AFOs have significant limitations (e.g. in patients with strong spasticity, suffering from pronounced inversion, suffering from volume changes in the lower extremity, etc). An alternative way of treating drop foot is by means of functional electrical stimulation. Clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of drop foot stimulation suggest that it provides many benefits to patients, such as an improved confidence in walking, increased walking speed and endurance, less effort during walking and reduced spasticity. Implantable systems such as ActiGait are considered therapeutic alternatives specifically for those patients for whom conventional treatments have failed. ActiGait system consists of an external module (antenna and control module), a foot switch transmitting to the external module and an implanted assembly (receiver, pulse train generator, electrodes). The objective of this study is to obtain additional evidence on safety of ActiGait implantation procedure and on its efficacy. The study will enrol 5 subjects that will be implanted and followed for 12 weeks. Efficacy outcomes will be assessed at the baseline and during two follow-up visits (week 6 and 12). Subjects will be asked to walk with and without their preferred walking at the baseline and with and without stimulation at follow-up visits.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Actual Enrollment: 5 participants
• Allocation: N/A
• Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Clinical Study to Evaluate the Implantation of the ActiGait Drop Foot Stimulator System
• Study Start Date: Aug 1, 2009
• Actual Primary Completion Date: Mar 1, 2010
• Actual Study Completion Date: Mar 1, 2010

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: ActiGait Receiving ActiGait - implantable drop foot stimulator	Device: ActiGait; ActiGait - implantable drop foot stimulator

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

1. Distance Walked in 6 Minutes [Baseline, 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation]

   The test assesses distance walked over 6 minutes as a sub-maximal test of aerobic capacity (endurance). At baseline this test was done with subject's conventional walking aid. At 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation this was done with and without stimulation.

Secondary Outcome Measures

1. Walking Speed During 10 Meter Gait Test [Baseline, 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation]

   The test assesses walking speed in meters per second over a short duration. At baseline this test was done with subject's conventional walking aid. At 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation this was done with and without stimulation.

2. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) Score [Baseline,12 weeks post-implantation]

   A semi-structured interview is conducted in order to identify subject's limitations with daily occupations of importance in categories self-care, productivtiy or leisure. The subject is then asked to rate the imporance of each of the occupations using a 10-point rating scale. Afterwards the subject chooses up to 5 of the most important occupations (problems) (basis for identifying intervention goals). The subject is asked to use a 10 point scale to rate level of performance and satisfaction with performance for each of the five identified problems. Average COPM performance score and satisfaction score are calculated. The scores range between 1 and 10, where 1 indicates poor performance and low satisfaction, respectively, while 10 indicates very good performance and high satisfaction.

3. Four Square Step Test (FSST) [Baseline, week 12 post-implantation]

   It is a test of dynamic balance that clinically assesses the person's ability to step over objects forward, sideways, and backwards. The patient's time to perform the test is measured which shorter time representing better performance. At baseline this test was done with subject's conventional walking aid. At 12 weeks post-implantation it was done with and without stimulation.

4. Nerve Conduction Velocity of the Peroneal Nerve [Baseline, week 12 post-implantation]

   Measured: Nervus peroneus communis (CPN) and Nervus peroneus superficialis (SPN)

5. Change in MRI of Affected Leg and Implant Post-implantation [Week 2 post-implantation]

   MRI will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the implant on the common peroneal nerve (e.g. positioning of the nerve cuff along the nerve, path of the lead wire and the common peroneal nerve, estimation of the cross-sectional area of the common peroneal nerve compared to the pre-operative MRI recording, etc.). The outcome will be quantified by surgeon's judgement whether the final implant position is consistent with safe application of the ActiGait® implant as described in the manufacturer's surgical manual. Number of safe and successful implantations will be counted.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and Older
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria:

• have a single sided hemiparesis persisting for more than 6 months due to a cerebro-vascular accident (CVA).

• be fully grown-up.

• have the ability to walk 20 meters in less than 2 minutes with or without walking aid but without the help of another person.

• have a reduced speed of walking.

• have the ability to stand upright with both heels touching the floor while hip and knee are in neutral position.

• have a passive range of movement of the affected ankle joint of at least 30 degrees.

• have a positive response to surface electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve - i.e. muscle contraction which results in dorsiflexion of the ankle and improved gait.

• male or female older than 18 years of age.

• have signed written Informed consent to participate in the study.

• is willing and able to follow all study procedures including attendance at clinics for scheduled study visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

• peripheral nerve damage of the affected leg.

• severe or uncontrolled diabetes with peripheral nerve involvement.

• poor skin condition on the affected leg.

• a thickness of subcutaneous fat exceeding 3.5 cm in the region of the implant.

• inability to walk 100 meters without stopping prior to CVA (with or without a walking aid, but without the help of another person).

• poorly controlled epilepsy.

• need of Ankle Foot Orthosis (AOF) to maintain ankle stability.

• concomitant medical and psychological conditions which would limit the success of the ActiGait® system such as: active degenerative diseases of the back and lower limbs, visuo-spatial neglect, or drug abuse, personality disorders or poor cognitive function.

• concomitant medical and psychological conditions which would compromise the safety of the patient in connection with the implantation and use of the ActiGait system, such as: severe cardiac disease, uncontrolled hypertension or history of malignancy within the preceding five years.

• other active implanted devices such as demand pacemakers or implanted defibrillators, as mutual electromagnetic interference may distort the efficacy of both systems and expose the patient to dangerous situations.

• history of falls greater than once a week.

• pregnancy and lactation. Women of childbearing potential must maintain effective contraception during the study period, as judged by the investigator.

• previous participation in this study

• participation in an investigational drug trial within 4 weeks prior to enrolment.

• requirement of an interpreter

• use of external FES system to assist walking four weeks prior to enrolment

• MRI of the affected thigh that is inconsistent with safe implantation of the ActiGait

• history of falls greater than once a week.

• pregnancy and lactation. Women of childbearing potential must maintain effective contraception during the study period, as judged by the investigator.

• previous participation in this study.

• participation in an investigational drug trial within 4 weeks prior to enrolment.

• requirement of an interpreter.

• anatomic situation of the common peroneal nerve identified by pre-surgical MRI that could compromise the success of ActiGait).

Contacts and Locations

Locations

No locations specified.

Sponsors and Collaborators

• Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: David Liebetanz, MD, Medical University Georg-August-University Goettingen, Germany
• Principal Investigator: Veit Rhode, MD, Medical University Georg-August-University Goettingen, Germany

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.

• Responsible Party: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01116466
• Other Study ID Numbers: PB-SA844-100
• First Posted: May 5, 2010
• Last Update Posted: Aug 26, 2021
• Last Verified: Jun 1, 2021

• Additional relevant MeSH terms: Hemiplegia

Study Results

Participant Flow

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Period Title: Overall Study
STARTED	5
COMPLETED	5
NOT COMPLETED	0

Baseline Characteristics

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Overall Participants	5
Age (Count of Participants)
<=18 years	0 0%
Between 18 and 65 years	4 80%
>=65 years	1 20%
Age (years) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ]
Mean (Standard Deviation) [years]	47.2 (11.9)
Sex: Female, Male (Count of Participants)
Female	2 40%
Male	3 60%
Region of Enrollment (participants) [Number]
Germany	5 100%

Outcome Measures

1. Primary Outcome

Title	Distance Walked in 6 Minutes
Description	The test assesses distance walked over 6 minutes as a sub-maximal test of aerobic capacity (endurance). At baseline this test was done with subject's conventional walking aid. At 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation this was done with and without stimulation.
Time Frame	Baseline, 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Measure Participants	5
Baseline	211 (36.78)
6 weeks post-implantation stimulation off	211 (37.48)
6 weeks post-implantation stimulation on	260 (31.5)
12 weeks post-implantation stimulation off	214 (33.46)
12 weeks post-implantation stimulation on	248 (29.56)

2. Secondary Outcome

Title	Walking Speed During 10 Meter Gait Test
Description	The test assesses walking speed in meters per second over a short duration. At baseline this test was done with subject's conventional walking aid. At 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation this was done with and without stimulation.
Time Frame	Baseline, 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Measure Participants	5
Baseline	0.62 (0.07)
6 weeks post-implantation stimulation off	0.55 (0.065)
6 weeks post-implantation stimulation on	0.77 (0.077)
12 weeks post-implantation stimulation off	0.55 (0.071)
12 weeks post-implantation stimulation on	0.77 (0.064)

3. Secondary Outcome

Title	Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) Score
Description	A semi-structured interview is conducted in order to identify subject's limitations with daily occupations of importance in categories self-care, productivtiy or leisure. The subject is then asked to rate the imporance of each of the occupations using a 10-point rating scale. Afterwards the subject chooses up to 5 of the most important occupations (problems) (basis for identifying intervention goals). The subject is asked to use a 10 point scale to rate level of performance and satisfaction with performance for each of the five identified problems. Average COPM performance score and satisfaction score are calculated. The scores range between 1 and 10, where 1 indicates poor performance and low satisfaction, respectively, while 10 indicates very good performance and high satisfaction.
Time Frame	Baseline,12 weeks post-implantation

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

Two subjects were not available for the test.

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Measure Participants	3
Performance Baseline	3.37 (1.27)
Performance 12 weeks post-implantation	3.80 (1.74)
Satisfaction Baseline	2.47 (0.46)
Satisfaction 12 weeks post-implantation	2.70 (0.70)

4. Secondary Outcome

Title	Four Square Step Test (FSST)
Description	It is a test of dynamic balance that clinically assesses the person's ability to step over objects forward, sideways, and backwards. The patient's time to perform the test is measured which shorter time representing better performance. At baseline this test was done with subject's conventional walking aid. At 12 weeks post-implantation it was done with and without stimulation.
Time Frame	Baseline, week 12 post-implantation

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Measure Participants	5
Baseline	38.09 (27.41)
12 weeks post-implantation stimulation off	44.44 (39.51)
12 weeks post-implantation stimulation on	21.49 (5.54)

5. Secondary Outcome

Title	Nerve Conduction Velocity of the Peroneal Nerve
Description	Measured: Nervus peroneus communis (CPN) and Nervus peroneus superficialis (SPN)
Time Frame	Baseline, week 12 post-implantation

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

Two subjects were unavailable for the test.

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
Measure Participants	3
Baseline CPN	48.33 (4.73)
Baseline SPN	43 (1)
12 weeks post-implantation CPM	50 (4.36)
12 weeks post-implantation SPN	42.67 (6.66)

6. Secondary Outcome

Title	Change in MRI of Affected Leg and Implant Post-implantation
Description	MRI will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the implant on the common peroneal nerve (e.g. positioning of the nerve cuff along the nerve, path of the lead wire and the common peroneal nerve, estimation of the cross-sectional area of the common peroneal nerve compared to the pre-operative MRI recording, etc.). The outcome will be quantified by surgeon's judgement whether the final implant position is consistent with safe application of the ActiGait® implant as described in the manufacturer's surgical manual. Number of safe and successful implantations will be counted.
Time Frame	Week 2 post-implantation

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait
Arm/Group Description	Receiving ActiGait - implantable drop foot stimulator ActiGait: ActiGait - implantable drop foot stimulator
Measure Participants	5
Number [number of safe implantations]	5

Adverse Events

Arm/Group Title	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
Arm/Group Description	Subjects came with conventional walking aid and then received ActiGait implant
All Cause Mortality
	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events
Total	/ (NaN)
Serious Adverse Events
	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events
Total	1/5 (20%)
Surgical and medical procedures
Haematoma around implantation site and bleeding after stitches removal, requiring additional surgery	1/5 (20%)	1
Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Events
	ActiGait - Implantable Drop Foot Stimulator
	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events
Total	1/5 (20%)
Surgical and medical procedures
Post-surgical lymphoedema around proximal incision	1/5 (20%)	1

Limitations/Caveats

[Not Specified]

More Information

Certain Agreements

Principal Investigators are NOT 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.