NCT01751373

Brief Summary

Within the first year after stroke, approximately 38% of stroke survivors experience an increased resistance to movement, also called spasticity. One type of treatment that is approved for stroke survivors in Canada that could reduce spasticity is the injection of Botulinum toxin (BTX) into the affected muscle. While BTX reduces spasticity, there is limited evidence to show that BTX administration leads to functional improvements. This may occur because the outcomes aren't sensitive enough to detect change, some people may have better responses to BTX, or because BTX hasn't been paired with the right exercises to improve function. The aims of this research are: i) to determine if there is a way of improving the markers that measure change in response to treatment; and ii) to identify the ideal type of exercise that should be paired with BTX to allow the drug to have it greatest effect. There are two primary research questions: a) What are the measures that will indicate whether a person with post-stroke spasticity will benefit from BTX therapy? It is hypothesized that EMG latency and amplitude, for those who best respond to BTX, will differ from those who demonstrate a weaker response to BTX; b)What is the ideal training approach for improving muscle function in stroke survivors receiving BTX injections? It is hypothesized that a training protocol that focuses on optimizing specific muscle activation patterns will demonstrate better outcomes than a training program designed to improve function.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
16

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable stroke

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2011

Longer than P75 for not_applicable stroke

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 1, 2011

Completed
1.6 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 13, 2012

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 18, 2012

Completed
1.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2014

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

May 20, 2015

Status Verified

May 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

3.5 years

First QC Date

December 13, 2012

Last Update Submit

May 19, 2015

Conditions

Keywords

Botulinum ToxinRehabilitationElectromyographyElectroencephalographyTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Amplitude and timing of electromyographic signals (EMG)

    Change in electrical activation patterns of the target muscle(s) (i.e. muscle receiving BTX injection) and the antagonist muscle.

    Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 7, Month 8, Month 9, Month 12

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Motor Evoked Potential amplitude

    Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 7, Month 8, Month 9, Month 12

  • Goal Attainment Scale

    Baseline, 6 Months

  • Modified Ashworth Scale

    Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 7, Month 8, Month 9, Month 12

  • Modified Tardieu Scale

    Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 7, Month 8, Month 9, Month 12

  • Frequency and amplitude of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity

    Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 6, Month 7, Month 8, Month 9, Month 12

Study Arms (2)

Standard Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Coupling focal BoNT-A injections with a therapy program comprising of functional tasks.

Behavioral: Standard Therapy

Optimal Muscle Activation Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Coupling focal BoNT-A injections with a motor training program that focuses on developing and maintaining activation patterns in the muscle treated with BoNT-A.

Behavioral: Optimal muscle activation therapy

Interventions

The proposed study uses a longitudinal, within-subject, pre/post intervention, cross-over design. All participants will complete each of 4 study phases (each 12 weeks long). These include: a) focal BTX injections in combination with either Standard Therapy or Optimal Muscle Activity Therapy; b) a three-month period where no treatment is given; c) focal BTX injections in combination either Standard Therapy or Optimal Muscle Activation Therapy; d) another three-month period where no treatment is given. The order of treatment phases will be counter-balanced across participants.

Also known as: Botulinum Toxin-A, Therapy
Optimal Muscle Activation Therapy
Standard Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • \>120 days post first ischemic stroke
  • Unilateral spasticity (MAS ≥ 1) of the wrist or elbow
  • \>18 years of age
  • Medical referral for focal BoNT-A injections
  • Residual active control of the wrist or elbow

You may not qualify if:

  • Underlying neuromuscular disorders (i.e. ALS, neuropathies, myasthenia gravis)
  • Inability to provide informed consent or communicate in English
  • Bilateral paresis/spasticity
  • Contractures
  • Prescribed anti-spastic medication

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

StrokeMuscle Spasticity

Interventions

Botulinum Toxins, Type ATherapeuticsStandard of Care

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular DisordersBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesMuscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesMuscle HypertoniaNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Botulinum ToxinsMetalloendopeptidasesEndopeptidasesPeptide HydrolasesHydrolasesEnzymesEnzymes and CoenzymesMetalloproteasesBacterial ProteinsProteinsAmino Acids, Peptides, and ProteinsBacterial ToxinsToxins, BiologicalBiological FactorsQuality Indicators, Health CareQuality of Health CareHealth Services AdministrationHealth Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Officials

  • George Mochizuki, PhD

    Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 13, 2012

First Posted

December 18, 2012

Study Start

May 1, 2011

Primary Completion

November 1, 2014

Study Completion

November 1, 2014

Last Updated

May 20, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-05

Locations