Virtual Reality Glove for Hand and Arm Rehabilitation After Stroke

The Neofect Smart Glove is a commercially available, non-invasive biofeedback based system for distal upper extremity rehabilitation. The Smart Glove is very lightweight and allows for easy movement of all distal upper extremity joints. It consists of a glove-shaped sensor device and a software application which can be used with either a large screen or a portable tablet. The system includes multiple Activities of Daily Living (ADL)-based training games, and the system tracks the motion and posture of the wearer's distal limb as they participate. Games can be selected to focus on certain movements (such as forearm pronation/supination, wrist flexion/extension, finger flexion/extension, etc.) based on the needs of the wearer. The software includes a smart learning algorithm, in which the computer automatically adjusts to the optimal level of difficulty to balance challenge and motivation. After initial set-up, the device requires no therapist supervision to use.

Patients will be eligible for the study if they have had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and (2) have impaired arm/hand function secondary to the stroke (see below for specific inclusion and exclusion criteria). We will recruit eligible patients from acute care hospitals, acute rehabilitation units, and outpatient facilities. Enrolled patients will be randomized (1:1 ratio) to standard rehabilitation therapy versus standard rehabilitation therapy plus Smart Glove use. All patients will be allowed to participate in any scheduled outpatient rehabilitation during the study.

The study consists of a 12-week intervention period and a 12-week follow-up period. During the 12-week intervention period all patients will receive their usual rehabilitation therapy, with their therapists documenting rehabilitation dose in a journal provided at the start of the study. In addition, subjects randomized to the Smart Glove therapy arm will be provided with a Smart Glove system, which includes the glove and tablet. Subjects will be instructed to use the system for at least one session per day for 5 days per week during the 12-week intervention period. Participants will present for in-person visits on weeks 6, 12, and 24 for blinded assessments by study coordinators. At the completion of the intervention period, subjects will return the Smart Glove and subjects in both arms of the study will only receive usual care during the 12-week follow-up period. Subjects will have a final assessment at week 24 (12 weeks after completing the intervention) to assess for persistence of effect.

All efficacy analyses are analyzed under the intention to treat principle. The primary efficacy outcome is the change in score on the Jebsen Taylor Hand Test between baseline and week 12. Secondary efficacy endpoints are changes in scores on the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Scale, Stroke Impact Scale, and total dose of rehabilitation received during the 24-week intervention period. Persistence of the treatment effect will be tested by comparing changes in scores on the Jebsen Taylor Hand Test and Fugl-Meyer upper extremity score at 24 weeks between treatment groups

Inclusion criteria

• a diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke prior to enrollment.
• unilateral hand/arm weakness from stroke with indication for upper limb rehabilitation therapy.
• ability to successfully play 2 out 4 pre-selected test games with the Smart Glove. The test specific games and criteria for passing are as follows:

• Pour the wine (Pronation/Supination): make 5 pours in first 1 minute
• Snow Ball Fight (Wrist Flexion/Extension w/ gravity eliminated): take down 3 objects in first 1 minute
• Scrub the Floor (Wrist Radial/Ulnar deviation w/ gravity eliminated): scrub the floor 5 times in first 1 minute
• Float the Fish (Finger Flexion/Extension): make 50 meters with 3 or less bumps in first 3 minutes

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 years
• history of visually provoked seizures
• psychological disorder that could impede participation
• pre-existing neurologic disorder which causes significant deficits in arm/hand function (e.g. Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, etc.)
• severe receptive aphasia which results in inability to participate with the Smart Glove.
• cognitive impairment which results in inability to participate with the Smart Glove.
• severe pain impeding upper extremity rehabilitation and use of the Smart Glove
• limited life-expectancy which makes it unlikely that patient will be able to complete the 24-week follow-up visit
• any medical or other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the patient unsuitable for participation in this study.