The Axem Home study is a randomized open label trial analyzing the safety and feasibility of coupling the Axem Home prototype device with exercise to improve motor recovery following a stroke.
The Axem Home study is a randomized, open label, phase I clinical trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of coupling feedback to participants on their levels of sensorimotor brain activity (via the Axem Home prototype device) with exercise rehabilitation. 15 participants will be enrolled in each arm of the study. Both groups will participate in an exercise program, but only one group (the intervention group) will receive the Axem Home prototype device. Study participants will be evaluated at baseline, after 3 weeks, and after 6 weeks (upon the completion of their time in the Early Supported Discharge program). Evaluators will be blinded as to which group participants are in. The study is constructed with randomization to remove selection and allocation biases.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
The Axem Home prototype device is a rehabilitation system designed to be used independently by a stroke survivor to facilitate physical rehabilitation exercises in their home environment. The device uses a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) headband that measures the hemodynamic response to rehabilitation exercises and displays this brain activity information to the user.
Individual exercise program prescribed by a therapist in the Early Supported Discharge Program.
Calgary Stroke Program Early Supported Discharge
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Incidence of Adverse Events Related to the Axem Home Prototype Device (Safety and Tolerability)
The ability of participants in the intervention group to complete the study using the Axem Home prototype device without experiencing an adverse event.
Time frame: Intervention group only: through study completion, an average of 6 weeks
Usability Interview
A short, semi-structured interview asking participants in the intervention group for qualitative assessments of various aspects of the Axem Home prototype device software and headband, in order to ascertain any potential areas where either might need to be improved.
Time frame: Intervention group only: once per week for an average of 6 weeks and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Usability Questionnaire
A short questionnaire asking participants in the intervention group to rate various aspects of the Axem Home prototype device with respect to its usability and perceived usefulness.
Time frame: Intervention group only: post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Participation
The number of participants in the intervention group that choose to discontinue participation in the study without experiencing an adverse event.
Time frame: Intervention group only: through study completion, an average of 6 weeks
Change in Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of Motor Recovery
A stroke-specific, performance-based impairment index. The FMA is designed to assess motor functioning, sensation, balance, joint range of motion and joint pain in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. Sub-scales include: upper extremity (0-36), wrist (0-10), hand (0-14), coordination/speed (0-6) (which can be combined to form a total motor function score out of 66), and sensation (0-4). Higher scores indicate better performance.
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Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Change in Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) score
The ARAT assesses arm function to determine the quality of the arm movement, and the limitation of activity. The ARAT consists of 4 sub-tests; that examines and individual's grip, grasp, pinch and gross motor movement in order to determine upper extremity function. Objects of varying size, shape, and weight must be either grasped, handled or moved in a specific task in order to evaluate function. Low scores mean worse function with the minimum possible score being 0 and the highest possible score being 57 (normal function).
Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)
Stroke-specific, self-report, health status measure. Assesses multiple domains on a 5-point Likert scale. Domains include: strength (4-20), hand function (5-25), activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (10-50), mobility (9-45), communication (7-35), emotion (9-45), memory and thinking (7-35), and participation (8-40). An extra question asks that the patient rate on a scale from 0 - 100 how much they feel that he/she has recovered from his/her stroke. The 4 physical domains (strength, hand function, mobility and activities of daily living) can be summed together to create a single, physical dimension score (28-140) while all other domains should remain separate. Higher scores indicate better function.
Time frame: Baseline, week 3, and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
A 15-item neurologic examination stroke scale used to evaluate the effect of acute cerebral infarction on the levels of consciousness, language, neglect, visual-field loss, extraocular movement, motor strength, ataxia, dysarthria, and sensory loss. Higher scores indicate greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline
Cognitive Assessment for Stroke Patients (CASP)
A questionnaire designed to measure cognitive function in patients regardless of the presence of aphasia, with lower scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
A major depressive disorder sub-scale of the full PHQ; used to provisionally grade depressive symptoms in patients. Higher scores indicate the presence of more severe depression.
Time frame: Baseline
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
A cognitive screening test used to assess: short term memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, concentration, working memory, language, and orientation to time and place. Higher scores indicate better function.
Time frame: Baseline
Snellen Eye Chart Assessment of Visual Acuity
Vision will be screened at study entry using a Snellen Eye chart, with acuity ranging from 20/20 (higher acuity) to 20/200 (lower acuity).
Time frame: Baseline
Clinician Assessment of Vision
Vision will be screened at study entry by clinician observation to assess visual fields for the presence of visual neglect.
Time frame: Baseline
Functional Independence Measure (FIM)
The FIM rates subjects on 18 items across many functions such as eating, grooming, bathing and dressing on a scale from 1 (total assistance needed) to 7 (complete independence). Lowest possible score is 18 (lowest independence) and the best possible score is 126 (completely independent). The FIM is the standard measure used by rehabilitation facilities in Canada and the United States to evaluate overall function and burden of care.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
A disability rating scale from 0 (no symptoms at all) to 6 (deceased).
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Thumb Localizing Test
A standardized assessment of proprioception. Scores range from 1 (no difficulty) to 3 (severe difficulty), with lower scores indicating better function.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Strength
Strength will be assessed using the Medical Research Council scale for muscles in the upper extremity. Scores range from 0 (no movement observed) to 5 (muscle contracts normally against full resistance).
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
A strength scale used to assess muscle tone during flexion and extension. Scores range from 0 (no increase in tone) to 4 (affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension), with lower scores indicating better function.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Measures
Brain activity feedback from the motor cortex measured during rehabilitation exercises.
Time frame: Intervention group: baseline, once per week for an average of 6 weeks, and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6). Control group: baseline and post-intervention (after study completion, an average of week 6)
Recording of Assigned Home Exercises
Recording of the specific homework exercises assigned by the therapist that the participant completes throughout the week.
Time frame: Weekly (for an average of 6 weeks)
Home Exercise Compliance
Proportion of a given participant's weekly assigned home exercise volume (in minutes) they complete.
Time frame: Weekly (for an average of 6 weeks)
Video Capture
This data will be used to confirm that the Axem Home prototype device has been correctly placed and securely fitted on the head, which is an assumption of the analysis of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measures.
Time frame: Intervention group only: rehabilitation sessions (for an average of 6 weeks)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Structural images taken from within the first week after stroke (if available). These images will be used to document lesion location and size, and to provide underlying information about functional connections between brain structures.
Time frame: Images taken from within the first week after stroke; collected during the baseline assessment
Computed Tomography Scan Imaging (CT)
Structural images taken from within the first week after stroke (if available). These images will be used to document lesion location and size, and to provide underlying information about functional connections between brain structures.
Time frame: Images taken from within the first week after stroke; collected during the baseline assessment