The Effects of Attentional Focus on Arm Training in Stroke

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

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

33 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2014-05-31

Study Completion Date

2015-11-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study compares the effects of an internal versus an external focus of attention on motor training of the affected arm for individuals with stroke. Participants were randomly assigned to either the internal or external focus treatment groups and received 12 sessions of arm training.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Shoulder, or Elbow, or Wrist: What Should we Train First After a Stroke?

NCT00453843

Stroke

COMPLETED PHASE2

Effects of Robotic Rehabilitation in Post-Stroke Patients

NCT04494685

Stroke

UNKNOWN NA

Effect of Robot Rehabilitation Exercise Training on Motor Control After Stroke

NCT02331407

Stroke

COMPLETED NA

Effects of Combined Robot-assisted Therapy With Mirror Priming in Stroke Patients

NCT03917511

Chronic Stroke

COMPLETED NA

The General Use of Robots in Stroke Recovery

NCT01726660

Stroke

WITHDRAWN NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Participants were randomized to one of two treatment groups and received upper arm reaching training on the InMotion 2 shoulder robot (12 hourly sessions over four weeks). The external focus group received instructions specifically to pay attention to the task goal--hitting targets on the video game, while the internal focus group was instructed to pay attention to the movement of their arm motions (video game monitor was turned off). Both groups practiced the same arm reaching pattern and were matched for level of arm impairment and training dosage.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Stroke

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

External Focus (EF)

Participants received arm training using the InMotion2 robot under external focus practice conditions and instructions. Participants practiced arm reaching by playing a simple video game.

EF instructions: "Focus on moving the yellow ball on the screen in a smooth, straight line at a constant speed"; "Move the yellow ball toward the blinking red/orange light"; and "Hit the center of the target and try not to overshoot the target"

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

upper arm training on the InMotion 2 shoulder robot

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Both groups practiced shoulder and elbow exercises on a robotic arm device under an external focus or internal focus practice condition.

Practiced arm reaching in a clock-like design to facilitate horizontal shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction.

12 sessions--3 times a week for 4 weeks

Internal Focus (IF)

Participants received arm training using the InMotion2 robot without the video game interface. Participants were instructed to think about how they were moving their arm while completing the arm training tasks.

IF instructions:

"think about how you're moving your arm"; "push your arm away from you"; "pull your arm toward you"; "move your arm to the right/left"

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

upper arm training on the InMotion 2 shoulder robot

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Both groups practiced shoulder and elbow exercises on a robotic arm device under an external focus or internal focus practice condition.

Practiced arm reaching in a clock-like design to facilitate horizontal shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction.

12 sessions--3 times a week for 4 weeks

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

upper arm training on the InMotion 2 shoulder robot

Both groups practiced shoulder and elbow exercises on a robotic arm device under an external focus or internal focus practice condition.

Practiced arm reaching in a clock-like design to facilitate horizontal shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction.

12 sessions--3 times a week for 4 weeks

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* diagnosis of stroke \> 6 months
* moderate to severe arm impairment
* intact visual scanning and spatial orientation of the affected arm
* functional cognitive status
* medically stable

Exclusion Criteria

* concurrent occupational or physical therapy for the arm
* joint contractures at the wrist, forearm, elbow, or shoulder
* moderate to severe spasticity at the elbow or shoulder
* presence of other neurological conditions
* botulinum toxin injection in the affected arm \< 3 months prior
* score of 0/5 on manual muscle test at the elbow or shoulder

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No