The Efficacy of a Frequency-tuned Electromagnetic Field Treatment in Facilitating the Recovery of Subacute Ischemic Stroke Patients - a Pivotal Study (THE "EMAGINE" STUDY)

NCT ID: NCT05044507

Last Updated: 2024-03-19

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-12-04

Study Completion Date

2024-01-16

Brief Summary

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This is a multicenter study that will be conducted at approximately 20 centers. BQ 2.0 is a wearable medical device that produces and delivers non-invasive, extremely-low-intensity and low-frequency, frequency-tuned electromagnetic fields in order to stimulate neuronal networks with the aim of reducing disability and promoting neurorecovery.

In this study, BQ 2.0 is intended to reduce disability in adult patients with subacute ischemic stroke, with a moderate to severe disability which includes an upper extremity motor impairment.

BQ 2.0 will be used for 9 weeks in conjunction with physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) and periodic supervision (either remote or in person) of a trained site study team member. Treatments may be administered in multiple settings (e.g. acute care hospital (ACH) or inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), home or other outpatient setup).

The study will enroll up to 150 adult subjects who will be randomly assigned (1:1 allocation ratio) to either active or sham study intervention using BQ 2.0.

Detailed Description

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The study intervention will be initiated 4-21 days after the index stroke event and will consist of a total of 45 sessions over a period of 9 weeks (5 treatments per week). Each session will last 60 minutes during which 40 net minutes of active or sham study intervention using BQ 2.0 will be administered. Each study group will receive a standardized, pre-defined and evidence-based physical and occupational therapy regimen concurrent with the study intervention.

Screening phase:

Prospective subjects, who are 3 to 21 days post-stroke, will be consented to participate in the study at either:

1. a participating initial acute care hospital (ACH), prior to anticipated transfer to a participating IRF, SNF, Outpatient or home setting or
2. at a participating IRF, SNF, outpatient or home setting

Consented subjects, who are 4 to 21 days post-stroke will be screened for eligibility to participate in the treatment phase of the study.

Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned, at a 1:1 allocation ratio, to either the active or sham study intervention groups.

Treatment and follow-up Randomized patients will proceed to the treatment phase of the study. Active or sham study intervention sessions using BQ 2.0 (active or sham therapy, respectively) will be conducted 5 times a week, starting 4-21 days after stroke onset and no later than 2 days after randomization. Each session will last 60 minutes, with active or sham field being turned on for up to 40 minutes. The only difference between the BQ 2.0 active stimulation and sham therapy is that the sham device does not generate electromagnetic fields during treatment. Subjects in both the active intervention group (BQ 2.0 group) and sham group will be asked to perform device guided physical and occupational therapy activities during each session. Participation in the study will not replace any of usual care patient should recieve.

Subjects will undergo a detailed interim outcome assessment on the 20th (±4) day of treatment and a detailed primary endpoint outcome assessment on the 90th (±15) day after the onset of the index stroke. In addition, a focused, long-term outcome assessment on the 180th (±15) day after the onset of the index stroke will be performed.

Conditions

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Ischemic Stroke

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

subjects will be assigned (1:1 allocation ratio) to either active or sham study intervention using BQ 2.0
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators
This is a double-blind study, subjects and Investigators will be blinded to the device setting (Active/Sham). The study site team members receiving, storing, dispensing, preparing, and administering the study interventions will be blinded. Subjects' caregivers will also be blinded. There are no differences in the active and sham device appearance. Due to the non-invasive nature of the treatment, as well as the physical characteristic of the EMF, there is no noticeable difference between sessions conducted using an active or a sham device, facilitating full blinding of both subjects and Investigators.

An independent unblinded statistician (not the study statistician) will perform the assessments described. Only the unblinded statistician and members of the DSMB will be exposed to the interim report.

Study Groups

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BQ 2.0 sham stimulation group

45 sessions over a period of 9 weeks (5 treatments per week) of sham study intervention with BQ 2.0 including a standardized, pre-defined and evidence-based physical and occupational therapy regimen concurrent with the study intervention.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

BQ 2.0

Intervention Type DEVICE

frequency and intensity parameters will be set to zero so that no stimulation is delivered

BQ 2.0

Intervention Type DEVICE

The BQ 2.0 is a medical device that produces and delivers non-invasive, extremely low intensity and frequency (1-100 Hz.; up to 1 G), frequency tuned electromagnetic fields in order to stimulate neuronal networks with the aim of reducing disability and promoting neurorecovery

BQ 2.0 active stimulation group

45 sessions over a period of 9 weeks (5 treatments per week) of active study intervention with BQ 2.0 including a standardized, pre-defined and evidence-based physical and occupational therapy regimen concurrent with the study intervention.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

BQ 2.0

Intervention Type DEVICE

frequency and intensity parameters will be set to zero so that no stimulation is delivered

BQ 2.0

Intervention Type DEVICE

The BQ 2.0 is a medical device that produces and delivers non-invasive, extremely low intensity and frequency (1-100 Hz.; up to 1 G), frequency tuned electromagnetic fields in order to stimulate neuronal networks with the aim of reducing disability and promoting neurorecovery

Interventions

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BQ 2.0

frequency and intensity parameters will be set to zero so that no stimulation is delivered

Intervention Type DEVICE

BQ 2.0

The BQ 2.0 is a medical device that produces and delivers non-invasive, extremely low intensity and frequency (1-100 Hz.; up to 1 G), frequency tuned electromagnetic fields in order to stimulate neuronal networks with the aim of reducing disability and promoting neurorecovery

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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BQ 2.0 sham stimulation group BQ 2.0 active stimulation group

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. mRS score of 3 or 4.
2. FMA-UE score between 10-45 (inclusive) of impaired limb.
3. Age 22 to 85 years of age (inclusive).
4. Diagnosed with an ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT or MRI imaging.
5. 4 to 21 days from stroke onset (or last known well).
6. Pre-stroke mRS of 0 or 1.
7. Able to sit with the investigational device for 40 consecutive minutes.
8. Can follow a 3-step command, such as "take the paper, fold it in half, and return it to me".
9. Willingness to participate in occupational/physical therapy activities during study intervention sessions.
10. Availability of a relative or other caregiver able to assist during PT/OT treatment delivered via video call sessions during the study.
11. If female, not pregnant (as confirmed by a urine or a blood test, or as determined by an official medical document) or breastfeeding and with no ability to become pregnant or on an acceptable method of contraception during the study
12. Informed consent signed by subject (if competent) or legally authorized representative.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Severe neglect impairment (NIHSS item 11 score = 2) or neglect that is severe enough to interfere with reasonable performance of study procedures. assessments or treatments.
2. Implanted active electronic or passive MR-incompatible devices.
3. Previous ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within the 2 weeks before the index stroke.
4. Pre-existing neurological condition (eg, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury) or physical limitation that would interfere significantly with the subject's participation in the study and/or confound neurological or functional evaluation.
5. Active epilepsy or currently taking anti-epileptic medication (indicated for the treatment of a seizure disorder), or seizure in the last 5 years.
6. Significant visual disturbances that cannot be corrected and that would interfere significantly with the subject's participation in the study and/or confound neurological or functional evaluation.
7. Unstable serious illness/condition (eg, active cancer, severe heart failure, active psychiatric condition) or life expectancy of less than 6 12 months.
8. A known severe allergic reaction to acrylic-based adhesives.
9. Ongoing alcohol abuse and/or illicit drug use.
10. Participation in another trial that would conflict with the current study or clinical endpoint interference may occur.
11. Employee of the Sponsor.
12. Prisoner.
Minimum Eligible Age

22 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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BrainQ Technologies Ltd.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Jeffrey L Saver, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Lead Coordinating PI

Pamela W Duncan, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Lead Coordinating PI

Locations

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Rancho Research Institute

Downey, California, United States

Site Status

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center & California Rehabilitation Institute

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status

MedStar National Rehabililtaion Hospital,

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States

Site Status

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital - University Campus

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Site Status

The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis

Miami, Florida, United States

Site Status

Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status

KU Medical Center

Kansas City, Kansas, United States

Site Status

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

Edison, New Jersey, United States

Site Status

Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation

West Orange, New Jersey, United States

Site Status

NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Site Status

Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute

Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation

Dallas, Texas, United States

Site Status

TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Saver JL, Duncan PW, Stein J, Cramer SC, Fox EJ, Zorowitz RD, Billinger SA, Eickmeyer SM, Kirshblum SC, Androwis GJ, Edwards J, Savitz SI, Koch S, Shall MB, Black-Schaffer RM, Bonato P, Cuccurullo SJ, Barcikowski J, Cao N, Bornstein NM; EMAGINE 1 Trial Investigators. Electromagnetic Stimulation to Reduce Disability After Ischemic Stroke: The EMAGINE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Oct 1;8(10):e2537880. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.37880.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 41105410 (View on PubMed)

Saver JL, Duncan PW, Stein J, Cramer SC, Eng JJ, Lifshitz A, Hochberg A, Bornstein NM. EMAGINE-Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial for determining the efficacy of a frequency tuned electromagnetic field treatment in facilitating recovery within the subacute phase following ischemic stroke. Front Neurol. 2023 May 5;14:1148074. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1148074. eCollection 2023.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 37213907 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

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BQ5

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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