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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07606222

Effect of Myofeedback and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Hemiplegic Children After Brain Tumor Resection

This study was conducted to compare between the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and myofeedback on upper limb function, muscle activity and brain derived neurotropic factor in blood for children with hemiplegia after brain tumor surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Myofeedback Child, Only Hemiplegia Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Paralysis Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

6 year–14 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Elmagd physical therapy centres, Teriaq oncology centre and Elite hospital.

Alexandria, Egypt

About this study

Studies indicate that neuromuscular electrical stimulation is more effective than voluntary exercise in enhancing serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and improving muscle strength and mobility in children with conditions like cerebral palsy and spinal muscular atrophy. Myofeedback, particularly surface electromyography biofeedback, is beneficial for upper extremity function post-stroke, as it helps raise awareness and control of movements. Intensive electromyography biofeedback has shown significant recovery in hemiplegic children compared to traditional therapy. There is potential for a multimodal treatment approach that combines neuromuscular electrical stimulation and biofeedback to mitigate the effects of brain tumors on upper limb function and optimize Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 6-14 years post brain tumor surgery children.
  • Children's hand use experience questionnaire between 25 and 50 on a scale of units.
  • Grade 2 muscle power of wrist, elbow and finger extensors.
  • Outpatient children.
  • Post-operative brain tumour, which is located in one of the two hemispheres.
  • After 6 weeks post-surgery.
  • The child can follow orders and instructions.

Exclusion criteria

  • Blindness.
  • Deaf child.
  • Skin diseases.

Treatment and study plan

selected physical therapy program

Other

The program includes push-up exercises, active strength training for wrist extensors using fine motor toys, stretching for wrist and elbow flexors and pronators, weight-bearing positions from side sitting, quadruped position with active limb elevation, rolling a small ball with the affected limb, and rhythmic muscle approximation for shoulder, elbow, and wrist.

biofeedback

Device

During sessions, the child sits with an arm resting on a table, with electrodes placed on the wrist extensors and forearm. The treatment involves gradually increasing the intensity of faradic current to induce muscle contraction. Each session lasts 30 minutes to one hour, with treatments up to three times daily, using a frequency of 50-100 Hz and a pulse duration of 0.1-1 ms, for a duration of 2 weeks to 3 months.

neuromuscular electric stimulation

Device

The child will participate in a physical therapy program for one hour, three times a week, over twelve weeks, supplemented by neuromuscular electric stimulation. During sessions, the child sits with an arm resting on a table, with electrodes placed on the wrist extensors and forearm. The treatment involves gradually increasing the intensity of faradic current to induce muscle contraction. Each session lasts 30 minutes to one hour, with treatments up to three times daily, using a frequency of 50-100 Hz and a pulse duration of 0.1-1 ms, for a duration of 2 weeks to 3 months.

Primary outcomes

  1. Assessment of muscle activity

    Time frame: at baseline and after 12 weeks

    All children will be assessed using surface electromyography for wrist extensor muscles while sitting, with their upper limbs resting on a desk and utilizing three electrodes. The ground electrode (black) is placed proximal to the others, the active electrode (yellow) is on the common extensor origin, and the connector (blue) is positioned at least 3 cm distally. After registering new patient data, the assessment begins via a one-channel surface electromyography setup, recording maximum and mean muscle activity during wrist extension upon pressing the play button.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Assessment of upper limb function

    Time frame: at baseline and after 12 weeks

    Using the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test, which includes fourteen selected test items, subtests 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 are administered. The child is positioned sitting at a table. The time taken for each task is noted as part of the proficiency evaluation. Performance is recorded, and raw scores are converted to point scores using a conversion table. The better result from two trials for each item is taken, and the total points from the fourteen short items are recorded in the designated area.

  2. assessment of level of neurotrophic factor

    Time frame: at baseline and after 12 weeks

    Fasting blood samples were taken in potassium-methylene diamine tetra acetic acid tubes, centrifuged for 15 minutes at 3000 rpm, and the plasma was stored at -80°C before being sent to Myriad RBM for a 190-analyte multiplex immunoassay. Additionally, the Brain-derived neurotrophic factor enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reliably measures whole blood Brain-derived neurotrophic factor with high reproducibility.

  3. assessment of dynamic spasticity of wrist and elbow flexors muscles

    Time frame: at baseline and after 12 weeks

    Dynamic spasticity of wrist and elbow flexors muscles will be analyzed at the study's start and end. Measurements will include resistance 1 (fast velocity movement through full range of motion to identify the point of catch), resistance 2 (passive range of motion), and the difference resistance 2-resistance 1 (dynamic spasticity component). The Modified Ashworth Scale serves as a clinical tool for assessing spasticity, employing quantitative measurements at two speeds: slow (resistance 2) and fast (resistance 1).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 26, 2026
Registry last updated
May 26, 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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