Effects of a Computerised Exercise System on Functionality of the Arm,Cognition and Quality of Life in Stroke Patients

Summary

Stroke occurs as a result of blood vessels of the brain becoming blocked or bleeding which in turn can result in loss of function in the limbs. Rehabilitation of patients following stroke includes repetitive, task based exercises to help regain normal limb function. Developments in stroke rehabilitation have resulted in more and more therapeutic options being available for inclusion in the treatment plan of stroke patients. The benefits of computerised task based arm and hand rehabilitation exercises in stroke rehabilitation are well known. Computer based rehabilitation supports the stroke patient in performing high intensity, multiple repetition exercises and in doing so encourages the regeneration of brain cells. In addition, it is believed that the stimulating environment provided by computerised exercise programs encourages the ability to problem solve and perform tasks. However, the effects of such computer based treatments on cognition have rarely been studied.

In Turkey to date there are no community based, task specific computerised exercise programmes available to stroke sufferers. Such systems may provide inpatient and community based stroke sufferers with a practical and economical therapeutic option as a part of stroke rehabilitation. Moreover, this may provide the patient with a mode of ongoing, long term therapeutic exercise and maintenance of skills acquired in the hospital rehabilitation period shortly after stroke.

The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of computer based, task specific exercises when compared to conventional rehabilitation alone on arm and hand function, quality of life and cognition in stroke patients.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Neuronal Plasticity
• Hemiplegia

Interventions

DEVICE

Rejoyce (Rehabilitation Joystick for Computerized Exercise)

Rejoyce (Rehabilitation Joystick for Computerized Exercise), is a computer game based task specific exercise system developed by Rehabtronics Inc. for use as part of the treatment of stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Rejoyce aims to improve upper extremity and hand function by encouraging neuroplasticity through repeated task specific games.

OTHER

Conventional physical therapy

A physical therapy session customised to the patient's needs overseen by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and conducted by a physiotherapist which includes range of motion, neurophysiological and strengthening exercises, balance and coordination training and walking exercises.

OTHER

Occupational therapy

Task based exercises overseen by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and conducted by an occupational therapist aimed at improving upper arm dexterity, coordination and strength.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baskent University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Selin Ozen, MBBS,BSc · Baskent University Faculty of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-08-01

Primary Completion

2020-11-15

Completion

2020-11-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations