Trial Outcomes & Findings for Robots Paired With tDCS in Stroke Recovery (NCT NCT01726673)

NCT ID: NCT01726673

Last Updated: 2021-05-14

Results Overview

The median change in Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Score was calculated from baseline to discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention) and again at 36 weeks (6 months follow-up from the intervention) in each training condition (sham tDCS + robotics arm training vs. active tDCS + robotic arm training). The total Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer score is reported, with a range 0-66 points, and with higher values indicating better functional status.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

54 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

baseline, discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention), and follow-up at 36 weeks (6 months after the intervention)

Results posted on

2021-05-14

Participant Flow

Subjects were randomized to receive 36 sessions of either active tDCS immediately followed by robotic arm therapy or sham tDCS immediately followed by robotic arm therapy.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) 2mA for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation sham condition (0 mA) for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total). Placebo sham
Overall Study
STARTED
30
24
Overall Study
COMPLETED
24
21
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
6
3

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Robots Paired With tDCS in Stroke Recovery

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=30 Participants
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) 2mA for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=24 Participants
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation sham condition (0 mA) for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Placebo sham
Total
n=54 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
20 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
30 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
14 Participants
n=7 Participants
24 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
11 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
20 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
19 Participants
n=5 Participants
15 Participants
n=7 Participants
34 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
20 Participants
n=5 Participants
13 Participants
n=7 Participants
33 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline, discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention), and follow-up at 36 weeks (6 months after the intervention)

Population: 45 patients completed 36 sessions (3x/week for 12 weeks) of robotic arm training + sham or active tDCS, and 6 month follow-up at 36 weeks. These 45 participants were consequently included in the efficacy analysis.

The median change in Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Score was calculated from baseline to discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention) and again at 36 weeks (6 months follow-up from the intervention) in each training condition (sham tDCS + robotics arm training vs. active tDCS + robotic arm training). The total Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer score is reported, with a range 0-66 points, and with higher values indicating better functional status.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=24 Participants
Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) 2mA for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=21 Participants
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation sham condition (0 mA) for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total). Placebo sham
Median Change in Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer Assessment Score
Median change from baseline to discharge at 12 wks
4.5 scores on a scale
Interval 3.0 to 8.0
6.0 scores on a scale
Interval 4.0 to 8.0
Median Change in Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer Assessment Score
Median change from baseline to 6 month follow-up
4 scores on a scale
Interval 2.0 to 7.0
6 scores on a scale
Interval 4.0 to 7.25

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline, discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention), and follow-up at 36 weeks (6 months after the intervention)

Population: 45 patients completed 36 sessions (3x/week for 12 weeks) of robotic arm training + sham or active tDCS, and 6 month follow-up at 36 weeks. These 45 participants were consequently included in the efficacy analysis.

The median change in performance time for the WOLF motor function test was calculated from baseline to discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention) and again at 36 weeks (6 months follow-up from the intervention) in each training condition (sham tDCS + robotics arm training vs. active tDCS + robotic arm training). The total WOLF motor function timed score is reported here in seconds, with a range 0-1800 seconds, and with lower values indicating faster completion of task and better functional status.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=24 Participants
Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) 2mA for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=21 Participants
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation sham condition (0 mA) for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total). Placebo sham
Median Change in WOLF Motor Function Test (WMFT)
Median change from baseline to discharge at 12 wks
-34 seconds
Interval -235.25 to 0.0
-19 seconds
Interval -157.0 to -1.5
Median Change in WOLF Motor Function Test (WMFT)
Median change from baseline to 6 month follow-up
-103 seconds
Interval -245.5 to -5.0
-81.5 seconds
Interval -260.5 to 0.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention) and 36 weeks (6 months after the intervention)

Population: 45 patients completed 36 sessions (3x/week for 12 weeks) of robotic arm training + sham or active tDCS, and 6 month follow-up at 36 weeks. These 45 participants were consequently included in the efficacy analysis.

The median change in Motor Power Manual Muscle Test Score for the upper extremity was calculated from baseline to discharge at 12 weeks (immediately following the intervention) and again at 36 weeks (6 months follow-up from the intervention) in each training condition (sham tDCS + robotics arm training vs. active tDCS + robotic arm training). The total Motor Power Manual Muscle Test Score is reported here, with a range 0-100 points, and with higher values indicating better functional status.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=24 Participants
Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) 2mA for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=21 Participants
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation sham condition (0 mA) for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total). Placebo sham
Median Change in Motor Power Manual Muscle Test Score for the Upper Extremity (MRC)
Median change from baseline to discharge at 12 wks
7 scores on a scale
Interval 4.0 to 9.5
7 scores on a scale
Interval 5.0 to 8.0
Median Change in Motor Power Manual Muscle Test Score for the Upper Extremity (MRC)
Median change from baseline to 6 month follow-up
6 scores on a scale
Interval 3.0 to 11.25
6 scores on a scale
Interval 4.0 to 9.0

Adverse Events

tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 2 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
tDCS + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=30 participants at risk
Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) 2mA for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
tDCS Sham + Robotic Arm Therapy
n=24 participants at risk
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation sham condition (0 mA) for 20 minutes over the primary motor cortex (M1) in the affected hemisphere immediately followed by robotic arm therapy for 60 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total). Placebo sham
Nervous system disorders
Myasthenia Gravis
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • Patients were followed for a total of 36 weeks, including the 12 weeks of the study intervention, and the 6 month follow-up period.
0.00%
0/24 • Patients were followed for a total of 36 weeks, including the 12 weeks of the study intervention, and the 6 month follow-up period.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
back pain flair up
3.3%
1/30 • Number of events 1 • Patients were followed for a total of 36 weeks, including the 12 weeks of the study intervention, and the 6 month follow-up period.
0.00%
0/24 • Patients were followed for a total of 36 weeks, including the 12 weeks of the study intervention, and the 6 month follow-up period.
Nervous system disorders
seizure
0.00%
0/30 • Patients were followed for a total of 36 weeks, including the 12 weeks of the study intervention, and the 6 month follow-up period.
4.2%
1/24 • Number of events 1 • Patients were followed for a total of 36 weeks, including the 12 weeks of the study intervention, and the 6 month follow-up period.

Additional Information

Johanna Chang, Senior Research Coordinator

Feinstein Institute for Medical Research at Northwell Health

Phone: (516) 562-3646

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place