Strength Training in Hospitalized Patients Using the Ghostly App: a Feasibility Study

Summary

The goal of this feasibility study is to evaluate the use of the Ghostly app in rehabilitation of stroke patients, elderly and patients recovering from COVID-19 or ICU patients. In three randomized controlled trials, the effect of a strength training program incorporated in the Ghostly app will be assessed for 1) stroke patients suffering from weakness of the lower limb, 2) frail elderly with gait difficulties and 3) patients recovering from COVID-19 or ICU patients who suffer from muscle weakness. Additionally, the effect of BFR on strength gain in all these three populations will be tested.

Conditions

• Stroke
• COVID-19
• Frailty
• Muscle Weakness
• Sarcopenia

Interventions

OTHER

Ghostly app

For the Ghostly app, we include three different trainings (standard, cluster set 1, cluster set 2). The standard training consists of three sets in which twelve muscle contractions are performed with 120 seconds of rest between each set. Each set of twelve contractions will be considered as one level in the game that needs to be ended before taking rest of 120s. Subsequently, the 'Cluster set 1' training is based on the training modalities of cluster set training since evidence shows that similar results can be obtained using cluster set training compared to standard training. The Cluster sets 1 and 2 also consist of 3 sets of twelve repetitions, but with ten seconds of rest between each contraction or 30 seconds of rest after three consecutive contractions respectively. The intensity at which will be trained is 75% of maximum voluntary contraction.

OTHER

Blood flow restriction

Patients will complete four sets of 15 repetitions, with each contraction lasting three seconds. Similar to the first experimental group and control group, the training intensity will be set at 100%MVC with two minutes of rest between sets. The cuff pressure will be set at 50% of arterial occlusion pressure.

OTHER

Leaflet

This training program will be matched with the Ghostly game in terms of repetitions, sets and inter-set rest and will be given to the patient to complete without supervision of the therapist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

  collaborator OTHER

• Revalidatieziekenhuis InkendaaI

  collaborator NETWORK

• Vrije Universiteit Brussel

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eva Swinnen, Prof. Ph.D · Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-07-01

Primary Completion

2024-08-31

Completion

2024-08-31

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations