Stroke is the major cause of motor impairment and physical disabilities in the adult population. Spasticity and loss of dexterity are the common problems in stroke. Recently, current interventions, such as cycling training, virtual reality (VR) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), were used for the treatment of upper extremity (UE) dysfunction in patients with stroke. However, few studies investigated the effects of the combinations of different treatment strategies using by integrating brain imaging and motor control studies. This project proposes different novel treatment strategies in the treatment of UE dysfunction in patients with stroke: combined inhibitory/facilitatory rTMS, VR-based cycling training (VCT), and combined rTMS and VCT. We hypothesize that the treatment effect of the combined protocol (optimal rTMS protocol and VCT) is more effective than single treatment due to integration of central and peripheral effects. Different treatment protocols will induce different changes in the brain reorganization and motor control, which further improve motor function, activity, participation, and health related quality of life (HRQOL).
This study aims to 1. identify the immediate effects of different treatment protocols in for UE training in these patients through brain image, motor control and clinical measures; 2. to determine the maintaining therapeutic effects; 3. to elucidate the most optimal treatment protocols; 4. to determine the neuro-motor control mechanism underlying clinical improvement; 5. to determine the clinimetric properties of the brain imaging and motor control measure that are responsive and valid for detecting changes after treatment protocol intervention, and 6. to identify clinical predictors influencing the outcome for treatment protocols. The research will offer valuable motor control biomarkers for outcome prediction and targeting patients who benefit from new protocols. This project is significant for the translational and evidence-based medicine on stroke neurorehabilitation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
120
In intermittent theta burst stimulation pattern (iTBS) will intermittently give a 2 s train of TBS every 10s repeated 2 times for a total of 40 times (low pulse: 1200 pulses in total) Other Names: intermittent theta burst stimulation
In continuous burst stimulation pattern (cTBS) will intermittently give a cTBS treatment consists of a continuous train of TBS for 40 seconds repeated for 2 times(low pulse: 1200 pulses in total). Other Names: continuous burst stimulation
In iTBS+cTBS pattern, continuous cTBS will be followed by intermittent iTBS (low pulse; 1200 pulses in total)
In sham burst stimulation pattern (sham TBS) will intermittently give a sham TBS treatment consists of a continuous train of TBS for 40 seconds(almost no pulse: 1200 pulses in total). Other Names: sham theta burst stimulation
The UE VCT programs were conducted three times per week, for 12 weeks. Each UE VCT session involved upper limb cycling training followed by UE training in addition to home program. The cycling program consisted of a warm-up exercise, twenty repetitions of hand push-up movements in the sitting position, UE cycling, and a cool-down exercise. The warm-up and cool-down exercises involved stretching and relaxing the head, neck, and the upper and lower body. Other Names: The upper extremity programs virtual cycling training program
In VCT+optimal rTMS group, VCT will be combined with optimal rTMS, which has the best outcome in phase 1.
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Taoyuan District, Taiwan
RECRUITINGChange from baseline of mechanical measurement for stroke after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Kinematic analysis for upper limb
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of severity for stroke after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Brunnstrom stage classification(by severity from stage 1 to stage 6), Modified Ashworth Scale (tension of upper limb from min(0) to max (4)) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (severity from min(0) to max(4))
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of Muscle tone measurement for stroke after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Muscle tone
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of Muscle strength measurement for stroke after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Muscle strength
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of body composition for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
InBodyS10 Body Composition Analyzer
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of activity for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Barthel Index
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of ABAS for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Adaptive behavior assessment system
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of quality of life for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Stroke Impact Scale
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of WMFT for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Wolf motor function test
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of MAL for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Motor activity log
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of TUG for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Timed 'Up \& Go' test
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of FIM for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Functional Independence Measure
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
Change from baseline of participation for stroke in after 3 weeks treatment and 3 months follow-up
Nottingham Health Profile
Time frame: baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, 3 months
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