Facial Function Reanimation by Electrical Pacing in Unilateral Facial Paralysis.

NCT ID: NCT03496025

Last Updated: 2020-12-19

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

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

77 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-08-01

Study Completion Date

2021-05-31

Brief Summary

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Purpose of the trial is to study the activations of paralyzed facial muscles in a unilateral facial nerve palsy with a multi-channel electrical stimulator. The principle of the device is to measure muscle activity of the healthy side of the face by surface electromyography (EMG) and to use this information to stimulate the corresponding muscles of the paralyzed side. The ultimate goal is to develop a prosthetic device for persons with a facial nerve palsy.

The trial consists of several different studies. The studies' aims are 1. To study activations of paralyzed facial muscles by the electrical stimulation. 2. To study different stimulation pulse waveforms, frequencies, and electrode placement and their effect on the muscle activations and the tolerability of the stimulation. 3. To study whether a symmetrical movement on the paralyzed side can be achieved with electrical stimulation when compared to the movements of the healthy side. 4. To study tolerability of stimulation-elicited eye blink when watching a film and the effect of the stimulation-induced blink on the eye symptoms, the visual acuity, and the effects of the stimulation on the lacrimal fluid. 5. To develop a method for facial pacing, i.e. measuring the muscle activations on the healthy side of the face and to use this information to stimulate and activate the healthy side of the face.

Forty subjects with a chronic facial nerve palsy are recruited to the studies. Each subject can participate in one or several studies. Another forty subjects with an acute facial nerve palsy are recruited to the study on the tolerability and effect on the eye symptoms. Additionally, altogether ninety healthy volunteers are recruited to the studies in order to gather preliminary information on the tolerability and the effects of the stimulations.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Facial Nerve Palsy

Keywords

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facial nerve palsy facial paralysis functional electrical stimulation facial pacing

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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Electrical stimulation

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Electrical muscle stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

The intervention consists of activating paralyzed facial muscles with electrical stimulation.

Interventions

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Electrical muscle stimulation

The intervention consists of activating paralyzed facial muscles with electrical stimulation.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* a unilateral peripheral facial nerve palsy (patients)
* willingness to participate (patients, healthy volunteers)

Exclusion Criteria

* malignant diseases (a previously treated cancer is not an exclusion criterion)
* unstable cardiovascular disease
* severe immune deficiency
* other severe neurological diseases (causing cognitive or physical impairment)
* diabetic neuropathy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Tampere University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Tampere University of Technology

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Helsinki University Central Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Tampere University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Markus Rautiainen, MD, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

professor, head physician

Locations

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Tampere University Hospital

Tampere, , Finland

Site Status

Countries

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Finland

References

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Makela EA, Ilves MK, Venesvirta HM, Lylykangas JK, Rantanen VT, Vehkaoja AT, Verho JA, Lekkala J, Surakka VV, Rautiainen MEP. Effect of pulse waveforms on movement amplitudes and perceived discomfort in electric muscle stimulation in unresolved facial nerve palsy. Biomed Phys Eng Express. 2020 Mar 25;6(3):035013. doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab7eea.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33438658 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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R15067

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id