Combined Effects of Soft Robotic Hand and Electrical Stimulation on Hand Function in Stroke Survivors

Summary

Stroke is a clinically delineated syndrome, which is characterised by an acute, focal neurological deficit resulting from vascular injury (infarction or haemorrhage) within the central nervous system. Notably, around 80 percent of stroke survivors experience post-stroke deficits in upper extremity (UE) motor performance, impacting grip strength, dexterity, and functional independence, which greatly hinder the ability of stroke patients to carry out activities of daily living (ADL), and in turn affects their overall quality of life (QOL).One potential solution to these difficulties is the creation of rehabilitation robotic devices that incorporate hand technology and electrical stimulation. Although soft robotic assistive devices and electrical stimulation have each shown positive effects on motor recovery, their combined use has yet to be thoroughly investigated. This study intends to determine if the simultaneous application of these therapies can speed up rehabilitation results in comparison to independent therapies. Stroke Participants will be divided into two groups, Experimental group and Control group. Both the groups will receive intervention for 40 min/day, 03 days/week, for 08 week and measurements will be taken prior to the treatment, after 4 weeks of treatment and 8 weeks post-treatment.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Cerebro-vascular Accident

Interventions

OTHER

Soft Robotic Hand combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation along with Task Oriented Training

Group-1, will follow a rehabilitation program that combines soft robotic hand support, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), and task oriented training. After the adjustment of soft robotic hand, EMS electrodes will be placed on specific muscles, with set FITT principal as, A pulse frequency of 20 to 50 Hz and a pulse duration of 400 μs will be set with the intensity as per tolerated by the participant. Participants will perform task oriented activities that will include, Reaching to grasp objects, Picking up and releasing things at different heights using active finger and wrist extension. Opening a jar, or bottle, Turning a key or doorknob, Holding and lifting a tray or flat object, Pushing objects forward (like sliding a book across) with the assistance of soft robotic hand while electrical simulations are being delivered through the EMS for 40 min/day, 03 days/week, for 08 week. Measurements will be taken prior to the treatment, after 4 weeks of treatment and 8 weeks post-treatment.

OTHER

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation along with Task Oriented Training

The control group will follow a rehabilitation program that combines support of electrical stimulation, and task oriented training. For the stimulation of muscles ComfyStim EMS device will be used. The FITT principal used for EMS will be as, A pulse frequency of 20 to 50 Hz and a pulse duration of 400 μs will be set with the intensity as per tolerated by the participant. Participants will perform task oriented activities that will include, Reaching to grasp objects, Picking up and releasing things at different heights using active finger and wrist extension. Opening a jar or bottle, Turning a key or doorknob, Holding and lifting a tray or flat object, Pushing objects forward (like sliding a book across) while electrical simulations are being delivered through the EMS for 40 min/day, 03 days/week, for 08 week. Measurements will be taken prior to the treatment, after 4 weeks of treatment and 8 weeks post-treatment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Aruba Saeed, PhD · Lahore University of Biological and Applied sciences, UBAS

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-08

Primary Completion

2026-05-31

Completion

2026-05-31

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations