fNIRS Neurofeedback for Post-stroke Hand Rehabilitation

NCT ID: NCT07262528

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

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

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-31

Study Completion Date

2026-03-31

Brief Summary

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

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of disability. Among post-stroke individuals, 80% experience upper limb dysfunction, while only 5% to 20% of individuals regain full limb and hand function. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of hand rehabilitation of post-stroke individuals using HEG Neurofeedback The study will include 30 participants in the early sub-acute phase post-stroke, who will be assigned to either the study group or the control group. Participants in the experimental group will follow a rehabilitation program extended with HEG Neurofeedback training, while participants in the control group will follow the standard rehabilitation program.

The HEG Neurofeedback therapy equipment will be supplemented with new hand therapy software. During the exercises, patients will focus on a discussed and presented task, and once the expected level of concentration is reached, the software will trigger a virtual hand performing a finger flexion movement.

Motor control of the hand will be assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Scale and Brunnström recovery stages.

Detailed Description

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

This study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial with intervention. Participants will be recruited from among patients treated at the Rehabilitation Clinic. Inclusion criteria: individuals with hemiparesis after a first ischemic stroke, subacute stroke period (no longer than 3 months), upper limb paresis rated 2-4 by Brunnstrom recovery stages, participants aged 18 to 70 years, consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria: unstable general condition, visual field disorders, inability to sit independently, cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE \> 24). The minimum size of the sample was calculated taking into account the number of individuals after stroke hospitalized annually in the re habilitation ward, i.e. approximately 120 patients, of which those in the acute phase of recovery constitute about 40%. It was assumed that 80% of the patients would have a minimum 2 in Brunnstrom scale. A fraction size of 0.8 was used, with a maximum error of 5%, a sample size of 30 patients was obtained.

The allocation of interventions will be determined based on a simple randomization sequence generated using Microsoft Excel. The study coordinator will register participants, generate the random allocation sequence, and assign and schedule participants for the interventions.

Fifteen participants will be assigned to the experimental group and fifteen to the control group.

Interwention. The experimental group will be provided with rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinic and additional exercises with Biofeedback HEG. HEG therapy will be conducted for 15 days, every day from Monday to Friday. The duration of one session is 30 minutes. Participants from the control group will be provided with rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinic and an additional 30 minutes of individual physiotherapy focused on restoring hand function.

Participants will be assessed twice, before the start of the therapy series and immediately after its completion. Motor control of the hand will be assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Scale and Brunnström recovery stages.

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

Participants

Study Groups

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

Standard Rehabilitation supplemented with Biofeedback HEG

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Standard Rehabilitation supplemented with Biofeedback HEG

Intervention Type OTHER

The experimental group will be provided with rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinic and additional exercises with Biofeedback HEG. HEG therapy will be conducted for 15 days, every day from Monday to Friday. The duration of one session is 30 minutes. The HEG Neurofeedback therapy equipment will be supplemented with new hand therapy software. During the exercises, patients will focus on a discussed and presented task, and once the expected level of concentration is reached, the software will trigger a virtual hand performing a finger flexion movement.

Control: Standard Rehabilitation

Group Type OTHER

Standard Rehabilitation

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants from the control group will be provided with rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinic and an additional 30 minutes of individual physiotherapy focused on restoring hand function.

Interventions

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

Standard Rehabilitation supplemented with Biofeedback HEG

The experimental group will be provided with rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinic and additional exercises with Biofeedback HEG. HEG therapy will be conducted for 15 days, every day from Monday to Friday. The duration of one session is 30 minutes. The HEG Neurofeedback therapy equipment will be supplemented with new hand therapy software. During the exercises, patients will focus on a discussed and presented task, and once the expected level of concentration is reached, the software will trigger a virtual hand performing a finger flexion movement.

Intervention Type OTHER

Standard Rehabilitation

Participants from the control group will be provided with rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Clinic and an additional 30 minutes of individual physiotherapy focused on restoring hand function.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

Inclusion Criteria

* individuals with hemiparesis after a first ischemic stroke,
* subacute stroke period (no longer than 3 months),
* upper limb paresis rated 2-4 by Brunnstrom recovery stages,
* participants aged 18 to 70 years,
* consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

* unstable general condition,
* visual field disorders,
* inability to sit independently,
* cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE \> 24).
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

University of Rzeszow

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Agnieszka Guzik, PhD

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Agnieszka Guzik

Role: CONTACT

+48 17 851 8965

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

8/01/2020

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id