Novel Rehabilitation Strategies to Improve Arm Function in Patients With Scleroderma

NCT ID: NCT02837549

Last Updated: 2017-10-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

21 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-07-31

Study Completion Date

2017-09-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary effects of a novel treatment approach to improve arm function in patients with scleroderma who have upper extremity contractures. It is a Phase 1, one arm trial in which participants will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. The rehabilitation intervention will involve 8 individual sessions with an occupational therapist. Feasibility of the procedures is a major focus of this project.

Detailed Description

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Our specific aims are to:

1. Determine the feasibility of a novel rehabilitation strategy provided at the University of Michigan Scleroderma Clinic to scleroderma patients who have upper extremity contractures.

Investigators will assess 3 main aspects of the process that are key to the success of a larger study including the proportion of eligible people who enroll in the study, rate of adherence to the treatment protocol, and the time it takes to conduct sessions including treatment and outcome assessment completion. Based on a framework of recommendations for well-designed pilot studies \[1\], investigators have set the following criteria for success to examine these aspects:
1. At least 50% of participants who are eligible for the study will enroll.
2. At least 80% of participants will attend all treatment sessions.
3. The 3 sessions involving both treatment and outcome assessments will not last on average more than 2 hours.
2. Develop a standardized treatment manual to train therapists to provide this treatment to their patients.

A standardized treatment manual for therapists is a critical component needed to ensure consistency in a larger multi-site trial. This manual will be drafted for use in this study and refined as needed.
3. Establish preliminary effects of this 8-week rehabilitation program on improving arm function.

Investigators hypothesize that participants with scleroderma will have significant improvements in the QuickDASH disability measure at post test. Although the investigators think large effects will be shown, this study will allow us to determine estimates of the effects and the variability for power calculations in a multi-site trial.

Conditions

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Scleroderma Ssc

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Occupational therapy treatment

Participants will undergo the following as appropriate:

1. Thermal Modalities Hot packs, focused on areas with limitations Paraffin, focused on digital limitations
2. Application of the Physiotouch (a low-intensity negative pressure device)
3. Passive Range of Motion
4. Active Range of Motion
5. Functional Activities

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Occupational therapy treatment

Intervention Type OTHER

This intervention includes various thermal modalities, manual therapy, Physiotouch (Healthy Life Devices Ltd) and education

Interventions

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Occupational therapy treatment

This intervention includes various thermal modalities, manual therapy, Physiotouch (Healthy Life Devices Ltd) and education

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Upper Extremity Rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* diagnosis of scleroderma (localized or generalized morphea)
* Have a contracture of the hand and other joint in at least one arm, such as wrist, elbow, or shoulder, with the ability to demonstrate active range of motion in that arm
* Willing to travel to participate in therapy and outcome assessments.
* English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

* active hand ulcers
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Michigan

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Susan Murphy

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Susan Murphy, ScD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Michigan - Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Locations

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University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Murphy SL, Barber MW, Homer K, Dodge C, Cutter GR, Khanna D. Occupational Therapy Treatment to Improve Upper Extremity Function in Individuals with Early Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Nov;70(11):1653-1660. doi: 10.1002/acr.23522.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 29381834 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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HUM00117117

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id