The study aims to inform the subsequent large-scale clinical trial focused on using telerehabilitation techniques and technologies to improve upper limb function and quality of life.
Upper limb (UL) function is often impaired and not fully recovered after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), leading to devastating consequences and reducing quality of life. Clinicians have been encouraged to include UL rehabilitation, but existing evidence is insufficient to inform specific treatments for the TBI population. There is urgency to broaden the scientific evidence critical to advancing UL rehabilitation for TBI survivors, especially those living in the community with chronic UL impairment. The study will examine two UL exercise programs through tele-rehabilitation (TeleRehab) techniques. Both programs are focused on functional tasks and daily activities. One program is implemented directly in the real-life home environment, the home-based arm and hand exercise (HAHE) program. The other program is delivered through simulated real-world scenarios, the exercise video game (Exergame) program. The HAHE program consists of UL exercises based on real-life activities that involve materials and objects readily available at home or easily obtained in regular stores. The Exergame program packages UL exercises into game-like activities delivered through a non-immersive virtual reality device. Individuals with chronic UL impairment after moderate-to-severe TBI will participate in the proposed study. They will be randomly assigned to the HAHE or the Exergame program. Patients will complete 30 sessions of the assigned program over 6 weeks at home, with no immediate supervision. An occupational therapist will review the progress, assist in goal setting, and provide consultation to patients at the beginning of each week via a video call. The investigators will determine which of the programs is effective, and whether the programs lead to similar or different outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey, United States
RECRUITINGChange in the Box and Block Test
Participants will be seated at a table, face a rectangular box that is divided into two square compartments of equal dimensions on the left and right sides by means of a partition. At the beginning of the test, 150 1-inch blocks are in the same compartment. The task is to move as many blocks as possible, one at a time, from one compartment to the other using one arm only. Participants will be assessed 4 weeks before intervention (Time 1), immediately before (Time 2) and immediately after intervention (Time 3). The investigators will measure the change between Time 1 and Time 2 (baseline change), and the change between Time 2 and Time 3 (treatment change). The outcome measure is the difference between the two changes.
Time frame: 4 weeks before intervention, immediately before intervention, and immediately after intervention
Wolf Motor Function Test
The test quantitatively measures UL motor ability through 15 timed and functional tasks - forearm to table, forearm to box, extend elbow, extend elbow with weight, hand to table, hand to the box, reach and retrieve, lift can, lift pencil, lift paper clip, stack checkers, flip cards, turn key in lock, fold towel, and lift basket. Participants will be assessed 4 weeks before intervention (Time 1), immediately before (Time 2) and immediately after intervention (Time 3). The investigators will measure the change between Time 1 and Time 2 (baseline change), and the change between Time 2 and Time 3 (treatment change). The outcome measure is the difference between the two changes.
Time frame: 4 weeks before intervention, immediately before intervention, and immediately after intervention
Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Measurement System
The standardized short forms for adults evaluate anxiety, depression, fatigue, UL function, lower limb function, cognitive function, emotional and behavioral dyscontrol, positive affect and well-being, sleep disturbance, ability to participate in social roles and activities, satisfaction with social roles and activities, stigma, and communication. Participants will be assessed 4 weeks before intervention (Time 1), immediately before (Time 2) and immediately after intervention (Time 3). The investigators will measure the change between Time 1 and Time 2 (baseline change), and the change between Time 2 and Time 3 (treatment change). The outcome measure is the difference between the two changes.
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Time frame: 4 weeks before intervention, immediately before intervention, and immediately after intervention