Comparison of the Effects of Robotic Rehabilitation, Functional Electrical Stimulation and Occupational Therapy on Upper Extremity and Hand Functions in Tetraplegic Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

NCT06912217 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Hilal Arslan 001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

2\. Purpose and Significance of the Study (Primary and Secondary Objectives, if any) Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a clinical condition characterized by partial or total loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions below the level of the lesion, depending on the severity and level of the injury, which may be caused by traumatic or non-traumatic factors. Globally, the incidence of SCI is estimated to be 250,000-500,000 cases per year . SCI patients may be classified as tetraplegic or paraplegic according to their functional levels. In paraplegia, there is a loss of function in both lower extremities, whereas tetraplegic patients experience functional loss in all four extremities. In both groups, autonomic dysfunctions in visceral organs can also be observed depending on the severity of the injury below the lesion level. In tetraplegic patients, loss of upper extremity and hand functions significantly reduces their level of independence in daily living activities, particularly in self-care tasks, and considerably lowers their quality of life. Therefore, upper extremity and hand rehabilitation play a crucial role in the comprehensive rehabilitation program for tetraplegic patients. Various rehabilitative modalities have been used both in clinical practice and in the literature to improve upper extremity and hand functions. The use of advanced rehabilitation technologies has increased in recent years. Studies on functional electrical stimulation (FES) for upper extremity, robotic rehabilitation, virtual reality applications, mirror therapy, and similar approaches have become more prevalent in the literature . However, there is a limited number of studies comparing the superiority of these rehabilitation techniques in tetraplegic patients, leading to insufficient data for selecting the most appropriate rehabilitative technologies in clinical practice. This study aims to compare the effects of FES, robotic rehabilitation, and occupational therapy on upper extremity and hand functions in tetraplegic patients. Additionally, it seeks to determine which patient groups, based on their clinical and demographic characteristics, would benefit the most from each therapy and to contribute to the development of personalized rehabilitation strategies by analyzing outcomes in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of SCI.

Conditions

Tetraplegia/Tetraparesis

Keywords

Spinal Cord Injury; Tetraplegia; Hand Functions; Occupational Therapy; Functional Electrical Stimulation; Robotic Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test

  The test consists of seven subtests: Writing a simple 24-letter sentence Turning over five cards Transferring small objects (e.g., buttons, jar lids, paper clips) from one container to another Simulating eating by lifting a dry bean from a plate to mouth level with a spoon Lifting empty large boxes from a table and placing them on a raised surface Lifting weighted boxes filled with objects from a table and placing them on a raised surface Stacking checkers on top of each other The patient's test completion time is recorded, and in each session, they aim to improve their previous performance.

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• Nine-Hole Peg Test

  This test will be used to evaluate fine motor skills. The patient is seated at a table where the test materials are placed. The pegboard is positioned centrally on the table in front of the patient, and the pegs are placed on the side corresponding to the hand being tested. The patient is instructed to insert the pegs into the holes as quickly as possible, in any order, using one peg at a time, until all nine holes are filled. Immediately after filling all the holes, the patient is asked to remove the pegs one by one and return them to their original position without a break. The timer starts when the patient touches the first peg and stops when the last peg is placed. Each hand will undergo two trials, and the average time will be recorded.

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• Hand Grip Strength Assessment (Using a Dynamometer)

  The hand grip strength of patients will be measured using a hand dynamometer. Measurements will be taken with the patient seated, ensuring the following positioning: Shoulder in adduction and close to the body Elbow at 90 degrees of flexion Wrist in 0-30 degrees of dorsiflexion and 0-15 degrees of ulnar deviation Thumb facing upward Each measurement will be repeated three times with 5-second intervals, and the average of the three measurements will be recorded in kilograms.

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• Pinch Grip Strength (Pinchmeter)

  Measurements will be taken in a seated position with the shoulder in adduction, the elbow in 90° flexion, and the forearm in a neutral position. The measurements will be taken on the treated hand in three different positions: three-point, lateral, and tip-to-tip grips. Three-point grip strength is evaluated by applying force to the pinchmeter placed between the distal phalanx of the thumb and the pulp of the second and third fingers. Lateral grip strength is measured by placing the radial part of the middle phalanx of the index finger under the pinchmeter for support, while the distal phalanx of the thumb applies pressure on the pinchmeter from above. Tip-to-tip grip strength is measured by placing the pinchmeter between the distal tip of the thumb and the distal tip of the index finger and compressing it. Patients will be instructed to squeeze with maximum strength, and each measurement will be repeated three times. The averages will be recorded i

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA):

  The ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Spinal Cord Injury Standard Neurological Classification is a standardized system used for classifying patients with spinal cord injuries. It is an examination scale that assesses motor function, sensory function, voluntary anal contraction, and deep anal sensation. In the motor examination, 10 key muscle groups in both the upper and lower extremities are tested separately on the right and left sides. The sensory examination evaluates 28 dermatome areas for both light touch and pinprick sensation. A rectal examination is performed to assess voluntary anal sphincter control and the presence of deep anal sensation. The neurological level of injury is determined, and a distinction between complete and incomplete injury is made.

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• ASIA Impairment Scale

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• Joint Range of Motion Assessment

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

• Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure (SCI Independence Measure) - Self-Care Subparameter

  Evaluation at Treatment Start and 4 Weeks Later

Study Arms (3)

robotic rehabilitation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

It is planned to provide a robotic rehabilitation program for patients in the robotic group, in addition to conventional rehabilitation for 4 weeks, with 30 minutes, 3 days a week, focusing only on their dominant upper extremities. The program will be individualized for each patient through a treatment prescription consisting of games, tailored to their joint range of motion, muscle strength, functional status, skills, and perception. The goal is for patients to perform task-specific activities on a virtual screen using an exoskeleton (Armeo Power With Manova) robotic system. The robotic systems provide three-dimensional movement ability to the extremity with motor function loss.

Device: Functional Electrical Stimulation; Other: occupational therapy

Occupational therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the occupational therapy group, patients will receive the planned treatment in addition to conventional rehabilitation for 4 weeks, three days a week, for 30 minutes. Within the framework of this program, activities of daily living, especially self-care activities (eating, drinking, dressing, combing hair, brushing teeth, turning door handles, using remote controls, phones, and computers), as well as task-specific sensory and motor retraining and fine motor skills, will be worked on.

Device: robotic rehabilitation; Device: Functional Electrical Stimulation

Functional Electrical Stimulation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In the FES group, an FES bicycle program (RT300 FES leg cycle) will be applied for 4 weeks, three days a week for 30 minutes, focusing on the dominant upper extremity and hand. Electrodes will be placed on the target muscle groups. Electrodes will be placed on the elbow flexors and extensors, wrist flexors and extensors, and finger flexors and extensors. The current intensity will be adjusted according to the patient's tolerance.

Device: robotic rehabilitation; Other: occupational therapy

Interventions

robotic rehabilitation DEVICE

It is planned to provide a robotic rehabilitation program for patients in the robotic group, in addition to conventional rehabilitation for 4 weeks, with 30 minutes, 3 days a week, focusing only on their dominant upper extremities.

Functional Electrical Stimulation; Occupational therapy

Functional Electrical Stimulation DEVICE

In the FES group, an upper extremity FES bicycle program (ADI) will be applied to the dominant upper extremity and hand, three days a week for 4 weeks.

Occupational therapy; robotic rehabilitation

occupational therapy OTHER

In the occupational therapy group, patients will receive the planned treatment in addition to conventional rehabilitation for 4 weeks, three days a week, for 30 minutes.

Functional Electrical Stimulation; robotic rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥18 years
• Incomplete tetraplegia
• No cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Exam score ≥25)
• No significant visual deficits
• Ability to sit upright for at least 30 minutes
• No prior exposure to these treatments in the last six months

You may not qualify if:

• Severe upper extremity spasticity (MAS score 3-4)
• Severe shoulder pain or joint ROM restriction (\>50%)
• Pre-existing neurological, rheumatological, or orthopedic conditions affecting upper extremity
• Severe cardiovascular disease
• Uncontrolled aggressive behavior
• Open wounds or infections at application sites
• Aphasia affecting comprehension
• Active deep vein thrombosis or thrombophlebitis in the upper extremity
• History of epilepsy or cyber disease

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara City Hospital Bilkent: lead

Study Sites (2)

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital

Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital

Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Quadriplegia; Spinal Cord Injuries

Interventions

Occupational Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Paralysis; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: The study is designed as a parallel-group, open-label, prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 29, 2025
• First Posted: April 4, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

TU (2)