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NCT Number: NCT05897593

Clinical Feasibility & Validation of the Augmented Reality GlenxRose Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programs

Factors related to successful rehabilitation in acquired brain injury (ABI) are often directly related to adherence; for instance, dosage, frequency, and intensity can burden the patient regarding time and motivational factors. Regarding salience, patients may lose interest or find a traditional intervention boring after a few sessions. It is well documented that nonadherence not only impacts rehabilitation for patients but can also further prolong treatment, and increase hospital and clinician costs, in addition to a higher prevalence of future comorbidities. Additionally, the same factors that are related to can impact adherence are also related to neuroplasticity. Therefore, strategies that improve patient adherence can significantly help optimize patient care and treatment outcomes for those with ABI.

The gamification of rehabilitation therapies using augmented reality (AR) may help promote adherence. Gamification of rehabilitation therapy can make mass practice required in rehabilitation therapies seemingly fun and more personally engaging for the patient. Additionally, the experience achieved through AR can further promote salience and be customizable to individual patient requirements. As AR systems are now highly portable, cost-effective, and relatively simple to utilize, they can provide an excellent opportunity to provide more engaging rehabilitation approaches compared to standard care alone. AR gamification of rehabilitation may increase adherence by shifting patients' perspectives of therapy as tedious, boring, or a hassle, to a fun and engaging game that ultimately helps their recovery processes.

The GlenXRose AR-delivered ABI program (developed by the Cognitive Projections Lab, University of Alberta) has been created in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital with the overall goal of increasing patient adherence, treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with ABI rehabilitation therapy. The proposed studies are to investigate the feasibility of implementing this technology alongside routine clinical care, obtaining clinician feedback, examining associated financial costs, and continuing to examine the effect of the GlenXRose AR ABI-therapies on patient adherence and clinical outcomes, compared to traditional clinical care alone.

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Key information

Conditions

Acquired Brain Injury Brain Diseases Brain Injuries Brain Injuries, Traumatic Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Craniocerebral Trauma Nervous System Diseases Stroke Trauma, Nervous System Traumatic Brain Injury Vascular Diseases Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Nonadherence to Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation can result in suboptimal recovery or compensation methods while impacting the quality of life and further burdening the healthcare system. In addition to traditional ABI rehabilitation therapy, many patients are given daily exercises to practice and perform. However, it is estimated that up to 50% of patients are non-adherent to rehabilitation (Argent et al., 2018); with such a large prevalence, opportunities to prevent and mitigate nonadherence to ABI therapy can significantly promote clinical/functional outcomes.

Purpose & Objective: The GlenXRose Augmented Reality (AR) - ABI program, developed by the Cognitive Projections lab at the University of Alberta in collaboration with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, provides patients with gamified ABI therapies delivered through immersive AR.

The objective of these studies is to examine the feasibility of implementing the previously developed GlenXRose AR-ABI therapies to routine clinical care delivered by Occupational Therapists to patients with an ABI etiology (such as stroke and traumatic brain injury). Variables of patient adherence to treatment as well as preliminary effects on cognition, motor coordination, engagement, and system usability will be explored.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults receiving care at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Edmonton, Canada) for mild to moderate Acquired Brain Injury
  • Proficiency in English
  • Adequate upper-limb strength and coordination to utilize AR headset (determined by clinicians)

Exclusion criteria

  • Pediatric populations
  • Severe acquired brain injury
  • severe cognitive and behavioural disorders (e.g. agitation, confusion, aggressive behaviour), which is Level V or higher on the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale
  • Severe aphasia, impacting language comprehension
  • Communication disorders that impact comprehension of verbal commands and understanding of scale used in the study
  • Previous neurological and/or psychiatric disorders
  • Substance misuse disorders
  • Previously acquired brain injury
  • Impairments that limit the interaction with the AR device

Treatment and study plan

GlenXRose Augmented Reality Acquired Brian Injury Therapies

Device

Rehabilitation therapies for ABI have been developed for augmented reality implementation. These include various games to interact within an augmented environment while conducting rehabilitation therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Frequency

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Reported frequency of rehabilitation therapy

  2. Generalization

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Self-reported time of rehabilitation

  3. Compliance Rate

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Self-reported compliance using a 10cm visual analog scale. Participants mark along the scale where they believe their compliance rate is (0 meaning absolute no compliance, and 10 indicative of perfect compliance to the protocol)

  4. Adherence - Attendance

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Attendance and Practice Records

  5. Adherence - Self Reported

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Medical Adherence Report Scale (Chan et al., 2020) taken at each in-person session. Higher scores are indicative of stronger adherence and beliefs. (10 items, each scaled between 1-5 on a likert scale)

  6. Adherence - Clinician Reported

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (Kolt et al., 2006), taken at each in-person session. Higher scores are indicative of greater effort and adherence in the session. (Range 0-15)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cognitive Functioning - SCATBI

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Scale of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury (SCATBI; Adamovich & Henderson, 1992). The SCATBI assesses 5 domains. The interpretation of lower and higher scores on the Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury (SCATBI) depends on the specific subtest being administered. In general, higher scores on cognitive subtests indicate better performance or higher levels of cognitive ability in the specific domain being assessed. Lower scores, on the other hand, may indicate difficulties or impairment in that particular cognitive domain.

  2. Cognitive Functioning - LOTCA

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment. 26 subtests are scored on a scale between 1-4 (1 being poor performance, 4 being optimal performance). higher scores on the LOTCA indicate better cognitive function within a specific domain, while lower scores suggest potential difficulties or impairments in that cognitive area.

  3. Cognitive Functioning - Behaviour

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Behavioural Inattention Test (Wilson, Cockburn, & Halligan, 1987). Scoring typically involves comparing the individual's performance to established norms or comparison groups. Higher scores indicate less severe neglect or inattention, while lower scores suggest more pronounced impairments.

  4. Upper-Limb Motor Coordination

    Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks

    Box and Block Test (Mathiowetz, Volland, Kashman, & Weber, 1975). The score is the total number of blocks transferred successfully within the designated time, which is usually one minute. The range of scores on the BBT can vary widely, depending on the individual's abilities and impairments. Higher scores indicate better manual dexterity and motor function, while lower scores suggest limitations or difficulties in performing the task.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Adriana Rios Rincon, PhD, R.OT

CONTACT

[email protected]

780.492.5150

Mathieu Figeys, PhD, RN

CONTACT

[email protected]

780.735.6296

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Alberta

Other

Collaborators

  • Alberta Health services
  • Mitacs

Registry information

Official study title

Clinical Feasibility & Validation of the Augmented Reality-Delivered GlenxRose Programs for Acquired Brain Injury

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 9, 2023
Registry last updated
May 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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