scholarly journals Reward During Arm Training Improves Impairment and Activity After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110628
Author(s):  
Mario Widmer ◽  
Jeremia P. O. Held ◽  
Frieder Wittmann ◽  
Belen Valladares ◽  
Olivier Lambercy ◽  
...  

Background Learning and learning-related neuroplasticity in motor cortex are potential mechanisms mediating recovery of movement abilities after stroke. These mechanisms depend on dopaminergic projections from midbrain that may encode reward information. Likewise, therapist experience confirms the role of feedback/reward for training efficacy after stroke. Objective To test the hypothesis that rehabilitative training can be enhanced by adding performance feedback and monetary rewards. Methods This multicentric, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial used the ArmeoSenso virtual reality rehabilitation system to train 37 first-ever subacute stroke patients in arm-reaching to moving targets. The rewarded group (n = 19) trained with performance feedback (gameplay) and contingent monetary reward. The control group (n = 18) used the same system without monetary reward and with graphically minimized performance feedback. Primary outcome was the change in the two-dimensional reaching space until the end of the intervention period. Secondary clinical assessments were performed at baseline, after 3 weeks of training (15 1-hour sessions), and at 3 month follow-up. Duration and intensity of the interventions as well as concomitant therapy were comparable between groups. Results The two-dimensional reaching space showed an overall improvement but no difference between groups. The rewarded group, however, showed significantly greater improvements from baseline in secondary outcomes assessing arm activity (Box and Block Test at post-training: 6.03±2.95, P = .046 and 3 months: 9.66±3.11, P = .003; Wolf Motor Function Test [Score] at 3 months: .63±.22, P = .007) and arm impairment (Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity at 3 months: 8.22±3.11, P = .011). Conclusions Although neutral in its primary outcome, the trial signals a potential facilitating effect of reward on training-mediated improvement of arm paresis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT02257125).

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Bücker ◽  
Josefine Gehlenborg ◽  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Stefan Westermann

AbstractThe majority of individuals with problematic and pathological gambling remain untreated, and treatment barriers are high. Internet-based interventions can help to address existing barriers, and first studies suggest their potential for this target group. Within a randomized controlled trial (N = 150) with two assessment times (baseline and post-intervention), we aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of a self-guided Internet-based intervention targeted at gambling problems. We expected a significant reduction in gambling symptoms (primary outcome) and depressive symptoms as well gambling-specific dysfunctional thoughts (secondary outcomes) in the intervention group (IG) compared to a wait-list control group with access to treatment-as-usual (control group, CG) after the intervention period of 8 weeks. Results of the complete cases, per protocol, intention-to-treat (ITT), and frequent user analyses showed significant improvements in both groups for primary and secondary outcomes but no significant between-group differences (ITT primary outcome, F(1,147) = .11, p = .739, ηp2 < .001). Moderation analyses indicated that individuals in the IG with higher gambling and depressive symptoms, older age, and comorbid anxiety symptoms showed significant improvement relative to the CG. The intervention was positively evaluated (e.g., 96.5% rated the program as useful). Possible reasons for the nonsignificant between-group differences are discussed. Future studies should include follow-up assessments and larger samples to address limitations of the present study. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03372226), http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03372226, date of registration (13/12/2017).


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus Kramer Mikkelsen ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Lisbeth Rosenkrantz Hölmich ◽  
Cecilie Mølgaard ◽  
Anders Troelsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis is a destructive joint disease that leads to degeneration of cartilage and other morphological changes in the joint. No medical treatment currently exists that can reverse these morphological changes. Intra-articular injection with autologous, micro-fragmented adipose tissue has been suggested to relieve symptoms. Methods/Design The study is a blinded randomized controlled trial with patients allocated in a 1:1 ratio to 2 parallel groups. Patients suffering from pain and functional impairment due to osteoarthritis Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2–3 in the tibiofemoral joint are eligible for inclusion. The intervention group is treated with an intra-articular injection with autologous, micro-fragmented adipose tissue prepared using the Lipogems® system. The control group receives an intra-articular injection with isotonic saline. In total, 120 patients are to be included. The primary outcome is The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) evaluated at 6 months. Secondary outcomes are KOOS at 3, 12 and 24 months; the Tegner activity score; treatment failure; and work status of the patient. The analysis will be conducted both as intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Discussion This trial is the first to investigate the efficacy of autologous, micro-fragmented adipose tissue in a randomized controlled trial. The study uses the patient-reported outcome measure Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) after 6 months as the primary outcome, as it is believed to be a valid measure to assess the patient’s opinion about their knee and associated problems when suffering from osteoarthritis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Anja S. Göritz ◽  
Stella Schmotz ◽  
Roland Weierstall-Pust ◽  
Josefine Gehlenborg ◽  
...  

AbstractOverweight and obesity are epidemic conditions. Obesity is associated with somatic and psychological sequelae, including serious life-shortening disorders (e.g., diabetes). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed imaginal variant of approach bias modification (i.e., imaginal retraining) for the reduction of craving for high-calorie food. In a randomized controlled trial, 384 women with a body mass index above 25 were allocated to a wait-list control group or to two variants of imaginal retraining (ratio: 1; 0.5; 0.5). The two intervention groups were sent a manual on imaginal retraining. One group was explicitly encouraged and instructed to use electronic reminders (RER); the standard retraining group (RS) was not encouraged to use electronic reminders. Assessments were 6 weeks apart and were carried out online. Craving for high-calorie food represented the primary outcome (based on the Visual Analog Scale, VAS). Secondary outcomes included the Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ-T-R). The study was registered as DRKS00017220. Women in the RER group utilized the retraining technique more often than those in the RS condition, and utilization frequency in turn was associated with improvement on craving and eating behavior scales. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed a favorable effect of the RER group, which achieved significance on the primary outcome, as well as on several other outcomes relative to controls at a small to medium effect size. For those participants who measured their weight before and after the assessment using a scale, weight loss in the RER group was significantly greater compared to the control group. Both retraining groups (RER: 39.4%; RS: 31.1%) reduced their subjective amount of eating relative to controls (24.2%). Approximately two-thirds of the sample (68.3%) performed the exercises at least once during the study period. The present results show that, when used regularly, imaginal retraining may reduce craving for high-calorie food in overweight and obese women. Of note, there was also evidence suggestive of weight reduction, although no diet or lifestyle change was recommended in the manual. Because a large subgroup neither read the manual nor performed the exercises, we recommend that future imaginal retraining be conveyed via short video clips.


2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 598-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Rosén ◽  
P. Vikström ◽  
S. Turner ◽  
D. A. McGrouther ◽  
R. W. Selles ◽  
...  

We assessed the use of guided plasticity training to improve the outcome in the first 6 months after nerve repair. In a multicentre randomized controlled trial, 37 adults with median or ulnar nerve repair at the distal forearm were randomized to intervention, starting the first week after surgery with sensory and motor re-learning using mirror visual feedback and observation of touch, or to a control group with re-learning starting when reinnervation could be detected. The primary outcome at 3 and 6 months post-operatively was discriminative touch (shape texture identification test, part of the Rosen score). At 6 months, discriminative touch was significantly better in the early intervention group. Improvement of discriminative touch between 3 and 6 months was also significantly greater in that group. There were no significant differences in motor function, pain or in the total score. We conclude that early re-learning using guided plasticity may have a potential to improve the outcomes after nerve repair. Level of evidence: II


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000954
Author(s):  
Louis Potier ◽  
Maud François ◽  
Dured Dardari ◽  
Marilyne Feron ◽  
Narimene Belhatem ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe offloading is crucial to heal neuropathic diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Removable offloading are the most used devices. Orthèse diabète is a new customized removable knee-high offloading device immobilizing foot and ankle joints, with some specific and innovative features that may improve offloading. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of this device in DFU healing.Research, design and methodsThe evaluation of Offloading using a new removable ORTHOsis in DIABetic foot study is a French multicenter (13 centers) randomized controlled trial with blinded end points evaluation. Adults with neuropathic DFU were randomly assigned to either Orthèse Diabète (experimental device), or any type of conventional (usually used in France) removable offloading devices (control group). The primary outcome was the 3-month proportion of patients with fully healed DFU.ResultsAmong 112 randomized patients (men 78%, age 62±10 years), the primary outcome occurred in 19 (33%) participants using conventional device vs 19 (35%) Orthèse Diabète users (p=0.79). Study groups were also comparable in terms of prespecified secondary end points including occurrence of new DFU (25% vs 27% in conventional and experimental groups), ipsilateral lower-limb amputation (4% vs 10%) or infectious complications (14% vs 13%) (p>0.05 for all). Adverse events were comparable between groups, including 4 deaths unrelated to study allocation (1 sudden death, 2 ventricular arrhythmias and 1 pancreatic cancer). Adverse events believed to be related to the device were higher in the Orthèse Diabète group than in the control group (15% vs 4%). Orthèse Diabète was less frequently worn than conventional devices (46% vs 66%, p=0.04).ConclusionsOrthèse Diabète, a new removable offloading orthosis immobilizing foot and ankle joints did not show superiority compared with conventional removable devices in neuropathic DFU healing and cannot be recommended to heal DFU.Trial registration numberNCT01956162.


Author(s):  
Rosa Cabanas-Valdés ◽  
Lídia Boix-Sala ◽  
Montserrat Grau-Pellicer ◽  
Juan Antonio Guzmán-Bernal ◽  
Fernanda Maria Caballero-Gómez ◽  
...  

Background: Trunk impairment produces disorders of motor control, balance and gait. Core stability exercises (CSE) are a good strategy to improve local strength of trunk, balance and gait. Methods and analysis: This is a single-blind multicenter randomized controlled trial. Two parallel groups are compared, and both perform the same type of therapy. A control group (CG) (n = 110) performs conventional physiotherapy (CP) (1 h per session) focused on improving balance. An experimental group (EG) (n = 110) performs CSE (30 min) in addition to CP (30 min) (1 h/session in total). EG is divided in two subgroups, in which only half of patients (n = 55) perform CSE plus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Primary outcome measures are dynamic sitting, assessed by a Spanish version of Trunk Impairment Scale and stepping, assessed by Brunel Balance Assessment. Secondary outcomes are postural control, assessed by Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients; standing balance and risk of fall assessed by Berg Balance Scale; gait speed by BTS G-Walk (accelerometer); rate of falls, lower-limb spasticity by Modified Ashworth Scale; activities of daily living by Barthel Index; and quality of life by EQ-5D-5L. These are evaluated at baseline (T0), at three weeks (T1), at five weeks (end of the intervention) (T2), at 17 weeks (T3) and at 29 weeks (T4). Study duration per patient is 29 weeks (a five-week intervention, followed by a 24-week post-intervention).


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen O'Connor ◽  
Alexa Bagnell ◽  
Patrick McGrath ◽  
Lori Wozney ◽  
Ashley Radomski ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) is a treatment approach recently developed and studied to provide frontline treatment to adolescents with anxiety disorders. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to pilot procedures and obtain data on methodological processes and intervention satisfaction to determine the feasibility of a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the effectiveness of a self-managed ICBT program, Breathe (Being Real, Easing Anxiety: Tools Helping Electronically), for adolescents with anxiety concerns. METHODS This study employed a two-arm, multisite, pilot RCT. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 years with a self-identified anxiety concern were recruited online from health care settings and school-based mental health care services across Canada between April 2014 and May 2016. We compared 8 weeks of ICBT with ad hoc telephone and email support (Breathe experimental group) to access to a static webpage listing anxiety resources (control group). The primary outcome was the change in self-reported anxiety from baseline to 8 weeks (posttreatment), which was used to determine the sample size for a definitive RCT. Secondary outcomes were recruitment and retention rates, a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the primary outcome, intervention acceptability and satisfaction, use of cointerventions, and health care resource use, including a cost-consequence analysis. RESULTS Of the 588 adolescents screened, 94 were eligible and enrolled in the study (49 adolescents were allocated to Breathe and 45 were allocated to the control group). Analysis was based on 74% (70/94) of adolescents who completed baseline measures and progressed through the study. Enrolled adolescents were, on average, 15.3 years old (SD 1.2) and female (63/70, 90%). Retention rates at 8 weeks were 28% (13/46; Breathe group) and 58% (24/43; control group). Overall, 39% (14/36) of adolescents provided feedback on completion of the Breathe program. Adolescents’ scores on a satisfaction survey indicated a moderate level of satisfaction. All but one adolescent indicated that Breathe was easy to use and they understood all the material presented. The most frequent barrier identified for program completion was difficulty in completing exposure activities. The power analysis indicated that 177 adolescents per group would be needed to detect a medium effect size (<i>d</i>=0.3) between groups in a definitive trial. Data for calculating an MCID or conducting a cost-consequence analysis were insufficient due to a low response rate at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents were moderately satisfied with Breathe. However, program adjustments will be needed to address attrition and reduce perceived barriers to completing key aspects of the program. A definitive RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of the program is feasible if protocol adjustments are made to improve recruitment and retention to ensure timely study completion and increase the completeness of the data at each outcome measurement time point. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02059226; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02059226.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2-2
Author(s):  
Divya Ahuja Parikh ◽  
Mary Khay Asuncion ◽  
Jennifer Hansen ◽  
Briththa Seevaratnam ◽  
Sana Indravadan Khateeb ◽  
...  

2 Background: In our prior work, community or lay health worker-led goals of care interventions improved goals of care documentation by clinicians and decreased health care use at the end of life. Other studies have demonstrated improvements in provider-patient communication and goals of care documentation using the Serious Illness Care Program. The objective of this study was to determine whether the combination of these two interventions could improve goals of care documentation among patients with advanced stages of genitourinary cancers at an academic center. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from April 3, 2019, through October 30, 2019, among patients with metastatic or recurrent cancer on at least second line therapy in the urologic oncology clinics at Stanford Cancer Center. Patients were randomized to usual care or the intervention with a lay navigator trained to assist patients with establishing end-of-life care preferences using the Serious Illness Conversation Guide. The primary outcome was goals of care documentation by the primary oncologist. We used intent to treat analyses, descriptive statistics to compare demographic and clinical factors, and a logistic regression adjusting for imbalance to determine the effect on the primary outcome. Results: Two-hundred participants were randomized and included in the intent to treat analysis. Median age was 72 years, majority were male (n=175, 87.5%) and self-identified as non-Hispanic white (n=123, 61.5%). The majority had prostate cancer (n=110, 53.5%), followed by kidney cancer (n=51, 25.5%), and urothelial cancer (n=29, 14.5%) and most had stage IV disease at diagnosis (n=186, 93%). There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical factors except for gender; there were more females on the control arm (n=8 vs n=17, p=0.01) thus analysis of the primary outcome was adjusted for gender. The adjusted analysis showed that at 12 months post-enrollment, the intervention significantly increased goals of care documentation by the primary oncologist as compared to the control group (53.7% vs 32.6%, p=0.002). Conclusions: The CAREPlan program increased goals of care documentation by the primary oncologist at this single academic medical center. Clinical trial information: NCT03856463.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Albers ◽  
Anne Jäkel ◽  
Kai Wellmann ◽  
Ulrike von Hehn ◽  
Tobias Schmidt

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of osteopathic intervention (OI) and general osteopathic treatment (GOT) in individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods: The trial was designed as a randomized controlled trial with 2 osteopathic interventions and 1 untreated control group. The patients in the two osteopathic groups received 10 osteopathic treatments (OI or GOT) within a time period of 12 weeks. The control group did not receive any osteopathic treatment. The primary outcome was the average pain intensity (API) assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were the pressure-pain threshold rated by means of a tender point score, and disease severity, assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Results: 50 patients were randomized. The primary outcome parameter API decreased from 7.2 to 4.7 in the OI group, from 6.3 to 4.3 in the GOT group, and increased slightly in the control group from 6.2 to 6.6. There were significant differences for the change in API between the OI group and the control group (VAS: 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-4.52), and between the GOT group and the control group (VAS: 2.4, 95% CI = 0.65-4.11), but no significant differences between the OI group and the GOT group. There were no significant differences for the secondary outcome parameters between the groups. Conclusion: A series of osteopathic treatments might be beneficial for patients suffering from FMS.


Author(s):  
Walaa A Abuel Hamd ◽  
Douaa E El Sherbiny ◽  
Salma Z El Houchi ◽  
Iman F Iskandar ◽  
Dina M Akmal

Abstract Background Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) of pre-term infants may be associated with high rate of mortality and iatrogenic complications in low- and middle-income countries. Sustained lung inflation (SLI) may help to reduce their need for IMV. Methods This randomized controlled trial included 160 infants with gestational age (GA) ≥27 and ≤32 weeks who were randomly assigned to receive either SLI; using a pressure of 20 cmH2O for 15 s followed by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 cmH2O or nasal CPAP alone, through an appropriate mask and a T-piece resuscitator. Primary outcome was the need for IMV in the first 72 h of life. Results There was no difference in the primary outcome between SLI group; 55% (44 out of 80) and the control group; 65% (52 out of 80) [odds ratio (OR): 0.623, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33–1.18; p = 0.145]. However, SLI significantly reduced the primary outcome in the sicker infants; who had clinical eligibility criteria (CEC; OR: 0.224, 95% CI: 0.076–0.663; p = 0.005) and in the smaller babies; whose GA was &lt;30 weeks (OR: 0.183, 95% CI: 0.053–0.635; p = 0.005). Conclusion SLI was not harmful. Although, it did not lead to reduction in the need for IMV in the first 72 h of life in pre-term infants with GA ≥27 and ≤32 weeks, SLI reduced this outcome in the subgroup of infants with CEC and those with GA &lt;30 weeks. Future trials are needed to investigate the effect of SLI on these two subgroups. Trial registration Clinical trials.gov, NCT03518762. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03518762?term=NCT03518762&rank=1


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