RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06787729

At Home Wearable Sensors and Smartphone for Stroke Survivors With Upper Limb Motor Challenges.

Motivation-Induced Movement Therapy: Enhancing Upper Limb Engagement in Stroke Survivors Through Ring Sensors and Data Visualization.

Sponsor

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Enrollment

50 participants

Start Date

Apr 1, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Stroke

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if wearable sensor data visualization on smartphones can improve the use of the stroke-affected limb during everyday activities. Chronic stroke survivors (\>12 months from onset) ages 18-80 years old with residual upper extremity motor impairments may be eligible to participate. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the mobile health (mHealth) intervention help to improve the use of the stroke-affected upper-limb during daily living? The study is designed so each participant serves as their own control. Researchers will compare information from the baseline and intervention time periods to see if visualizing the data on the smartphone impacts the participant's daily use of the arm. Participants will be asked to wear a set of wearable ring and wrist sensors and interact with a custom-designed smartphone app, aiming to increase the use of their stroke-affected limb during daily activities as much as possible. They will receive feedback from the app, communicate with study therapists, participate in goal setting, complete clinical assessments, and share about their experience using the system during a virtual interview.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 80 Years

Inclusion Criteria7

Stroke survivor (ischemic or hemorrhagic), >12 months post stroke, at the time of consent
Aged between 18 and 80
Ability to extend ≥ 10° at the metacarpophalangeal joint and one of the interphalangeal joints of each finger, ≥ 10° extension or abduction of the thumb, and ≥ 20° extension of the wrist from a fully flexed starting position.
Demonstrating more affected arm nonuse, defined as a MAL-AoU score of </= 4.5.
Actively uses at least one smartphone app.
Strong beliefs towards being in control of their recovery, indicated by a score of ≤ 10 points on the Internal Recovery Locus of Control (I-RLOC) Scale.
Participants must be able to read, write, and understand English at a level sufficient to comprehend study materials and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria13

Cognitive impairments that may affect the ability to understand and follow instructions (score < 24 in the Mini Mental State Examination)
Difficulties comprehending numbers, dyslexia, severe aphasia, or other neurological conditions that prohibit the use of smartphones for safety reasons.
Undergoing other types of motor therapy during the study period.
Previous participation in constraint-induced movement therapy.
Currently participating in or has participated in the past 3 months in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies.
Use of botulinum toxin for motor disability ≤ 3 months before treatment.
Significant changes in pharmacological or treatment plans during the study period that may affect upper-limb use.
Major medical problems that could interfere with participation.
History of a disabling stroke (i.e., need more than minimum assistance to perform ADLs).
Legally blind status.
Uncontrolled seizures.
Inability to don/doff sensors independently or with the assistance of a caregiver.
Implantable medical devices that do not comply with the ISO 14117:2012 and/or ANSI/AAMI PC69 standards for electromagnetic compatibility. Subjects will be asked to provide their medical device record card, and non-compliant devices will result in exclusion from the study.

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Interventions

DEVICEmHealth

The experimental design is composed of two phases: baseline and intervention. During the first week (baseline), subjects will wear sensors, but no additional features (e.g., feedback, goal-setting, and weekly Zoom calls with clinicians) will be provided. For the next three weeks (intervention), subjects will wear sensors and have access to all intervention features, including weekly Zoom calls and goal-setting with clinicians. They will be encouraged to use the more impaired arm as much as possible.