Innovative Technologies in Restoring Gait and Balance Funtions in Ischemic Stroke Patients at the Inpatient Stage

Innovative Technologies in Restoring Gait and Balance Functions in Patients in Acute and Early Recovery Periods of Ischemic Stroke at the Inpatient Stage of Medical Rehabilitation

The scientific hypothesis was based on data on the effectiveness of the usage of robotic mechanotherapy and virtual reality technologies. Purpose of the study is the development and scientific substantiation of the effectiveness and safety of rehabilitation programs using the technology of robotic mechanotherapy (exoskeleton) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) and virtual reality (VR) technology with biofeedback (BFB) in restoring walking and balance disorders at the stationary stage of medical rehabilitation in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke. The duration of the study is 2 years. The study is planned to include 120 patients. Anamnesis collection, physical and neurological examination will be carried out for all patients upon admission. Diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroencephalography and stabilometry will also be performed upon admission and discharge. Adverse events will be assessed. On the last day of the study, the dynamics of the volume and strength of movements, functional independence and spasticity will be assessed according to the scales (MRC, NIHSS, mAS, mRS, Rivermead, Hauser walking index, Tinetti scale, SHRM, ICF, Tampa scale, EQ-5D-5L), as well as the assessment of mental and cognitive status according to HADs and MoCA. Patients will be randomly divided into 4 groups: 3 main and 1 control. All patients will undergo a basic rehabilitation course. In the first group (exoskeleton with FES): 10 procedures, 5 times a week, the duration of the course of medical rehabilitation is 12-14 days. The total duration of one procedure is 1 hour. In the second group (VR technologies with BFB): 10 procedures, 5 times a week, the duration of the course of medical rehabilitation is 12-14 days. The total duration of one procedure is 30 minutes. In the third group (Complex application of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with biofeedback): 10 procedures, 5 times a week, the duration of the course of medical rehabilitation is 12-14 days. The total duration of training with VR is 30 minutes, then no earlier than 2 hours later, training on an exoskeleton, lasting no more than 1 hour. Patients in the control group will receive comprehensive rehabilitation procedures as prescribed, during the course of treatment accepted in a medical institution.

The purpose of the study:

Development and scientific substantiation of the effectiveness and safety of rehabilitation programs using the technology of robotic mechanotherapy (exoskeleton) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) and virtual reality technology (VR) with biofeedback (BFB) in restoring walking and balance disorders at the stationary stage of medical rehabilitation in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.

Research objectives:

1. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the technology of robotic mechanotherapy with FES in the correction of walking and balance disorders in patients in the acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of VR technology with BFB in the correction of walking and balance disorders in patients in the acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
3. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the integrated application of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with BFB in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
4. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and BP with BFB in the correction of kinesiophobia in patients in the acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
5. To determine indications and contraindications for the complex application of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with BFB in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
6. To determine the safety criteria for the use of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and BP with BFB in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
7. To evaluate the impact of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with BFB on the quality of life of patients in the acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
8. To determine the predictors of recovery of walking and balance disorders in the rehabilitation of patients in the acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke based on neurophysiological indicators.
9. To develop criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the use of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with BFB in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.
10. To develop differentiated methods of application of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with BFB for correction of walking and balance disorders in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke.

Implementation into practice:

Criteria for referral of patients to high-tech rehabilitation techniques, including robotic mechanotherapy with FES and VR with BFB, will be developed, which will increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures. Strategies for personification of high-tech rehabilitation in patients in acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke will be optimized.

Materials and methods:

The object of the study is patients with an established diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the acute (up to 3 weeks) and early recovery (up to 6 months) periods with the presence of walking disorders and paresis of the lower limb. The study will include 120 patients (men and women) with an established diagnosis of "ischemic stroke" in the acute and early recovery periods with hemiparesis or lower monoparesis, walking and balance disorders. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: group 1 - robotic mechanotherapy with FES (30 patients), group 2 - VR simulator with BFB (30 patients), group 3 - complex application of both technologies (30 patients), comparison group 4 - standard rehabilitation course (30 patients).

The duration of the study is 12-14 days in accordance with the terms of hospitalization of the patient in the hospital. anamnesis collection, physical and neurological examination will be carried out for all patients upon admission. Assessment of cognitive functions on the Montreal scale (MoCA), assessment of the level of anxiety and depression on the hospital scale of anxiety and depression (HADS). The degree of paresis of the lower limb will be assessed on the five-point MRC scale, the scale of the National Institutes of Health (NIHSS). Spasticity will be assessed on a modified Ashworth Scale (mAS). Functional independence will be assessed according to the modified Rankine Scale (mRS), the Rivermead Mobility Index. Assessment of disability and rehabilitation outcomes will be assessed on the Rehabilitation Routing Scale (SRM) and the International Scale of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Walking disorder will be assessed using the Hauser Index. The imbalance will be assessed using the Tinetti scale. Kinesiophobia will be assessed on the Tampa scale. The quality of life assessment will be assessed according to the European Quality of Life questionnaire EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L). Diagnostic TMS, EEG and stabilometry will also be performed upon admission and discharge. Adverse events will be assessed. On the last day of the study, the dynamics of the volume and strength of movements, functional independence and spasticity will be assessed according to the scales (MRC, NIHSS, mAS, mRS, Rivermead, Hauser walking index, Tinetti scale, SHRM, ICF, Tampa scale, EQ-5D-5L), as well as the assessment of mental and cognitive status according to HADs and MoCA.

Duration of the study: 2 years (2022-2023). The number of patients studied: 120 people (30 people each in the control and main groups).

Methods of rehabilitation:

• In the first group (technologies of robotic mechanotherapy with FES): 10 procedures, 5 times a week, the duration of the course of medical rehabilitation is 12-14 days. The duration of the procedure, according to the patient's condition, is up to 1 hour (taking into account the time for reconfiguring the exoskeleton and positioning the patient). Measurement of pulse, pressure and saturation in the preparatory, main and final parts. The length of stay in an upright position depends on the patient's condition. In order to study and monitor the state of the cardiovascular system during the procedure, the system of remote monitoring of ECG, breathing and movement "Accordis" will be connected. If necessary, a pause is made to rest in a standing or sitting position. The transition to the formation of subsequent skills is recommended after mastering the skills of the previous procedure. In case of incorrect configuration, it is necessary to seat the patient and reconfigure the size of the Exoskeleton.
• In the second group (BP technologies with BFB): 10 procedures, 5 times a week, the duration of the course of medical rehabilitation is 12-14 days. The total duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. Before the procedure, blood pressure and heart rate are measured, the size of the pneumatic cuffs on the feet is selected. After instructing the patient and selecting the virtual environment and the optimal speed of movement in VR, VR glasses are installed. Then rehabilitation exercises are carried out for 15 minutes. The patient moves in a virtual environment, receiving visual, auditory and tactile signals that form the correct walking pattern. At the end of the training, the VR glasses are dismantled. Then blood pressure and heart rate are measured and information about the state of health and sensations during the procedure is recorded
• In the third group (Complex application of robotic mechanotherapy technologies with FES and VR with BFB): 10 procedures, 5 times a week, the duration of the course of medical rehabilitation is 12-14 days. The total duration of training with VR is 30 minutes, then no earlier than 2 hours later, training on an exoskeleton, lasting no more than 1 hour (the lesson protocol is identical to group 1).

Patients of the control group will receive complex rehabilitation procedures as prescribed, during the course of treatment taken in a medical institution.

In addition to rehabilitation procedures using an exoskeleton with FES and VR and BFB, standard rehabilitation measures will be carried out for all subjects of the study at this stage, the type and scope of which is determined by an individual rehabilitation plan and may include pharmacotherapy (analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), active and passive kinesiotherapy (massage, therapeutic gymnastics, taping, mechanotherapy, etc.), other types of physiotherapy. The subjects of the main and control groups should be comparable according to the methods of the individual rehabilitation program. All the rehabilitation methods used, in addition to procedures using a robotic simulator, and accompanying methods are recorded by the researchers in the Individual registration card of the participant of the clinical trial.

Brief information about the ExoAtlet I:

Simulator ("Exoathlete one") is designed for rehabilitation in case of motor deficiency of the lower extremities and recovery of walking caused by stroke and other diseases and injuries of the central nervous system.

The main components of the simulator are:

• exoskeletal robotic device for moving the patient and forming a walking pattern
• a device for functional electrical stimulation (FES) of peripheral nerves controlling the muscles of the rehabilitated limb.

Brief information about the Reviver multisensory passive rehabilitation simulator:

ReviVR Multisensory Passive Rehabilitation Simulator ("Reviver") is intended for rehabilitation in case of motor deficiency of the lower extremities and recovery of walking caused by stroke and other diseases and injuries of the central nervous system.

The main components of the simulator are:

• hardware and software complex, including a monitor and a personal computer;
• virtual reality helmet;
• sandals with air chambers.

Registration and randomization of research subjects:

Each participant of the study will be assigned an ordinal number. Randomization will be carried out using the envelope selection method. A random distribution will be used, that is, a method of distributing participants from the general sample into one of the two experimental groups.

A simple random assignment will be used, in which each member of the sample will have a 1/4 probability of getting into each of the groups. Such a random assignment is necessary so that differences between groups can be caused only by random factors.

Informed Consent Form:

When drawing up and documenting the informed consent, the researcher is obliged to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements and principles of ICH GCP 2 and the Helsinki Declaration.

Individual registration cards:

For the period of participation in the study, all study participants will be provided with specific forms of medical records. The maintenance of the IRC is provided on paper. All participants of the study and the studied indicators will also be registered in the Excel electronic database "Database of study participants". When filling out the electronic database, the researcher is obliged to make sure that all information obtained from the primary documentation corresponds to the primary data. The medical records of the study participants, the conclusions of functional diagnostic studies and laboratory reports will be archived in the Branch No. 3 of the Moscow Centre for Research and Practice in Medical Rehabilitation, Restorative and Sports Medicine of Moscow Healthcare Department.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Availability of signed informed consent
2. Patients with ischemic stroke in the acute and early recovery period, from 5 days to 6 months after the stroke.
3. Men and women from 19 to 75 years old.
4. The ability to be in a standing position without a pronounced decrease in blood pressure (at least 15 minutes).
5. For stroke patients, the score on the scale of muscle strength in the lower extremities is 0-4 points.
6. Weight not more than 100 kg
7. Height from 160 to 190 cm .
8. High motivation for recovery
9. Preservation of cognitive functions (at least 27 points on MoCA)
10. Rating on the Rankin scale 3-4 points-

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Refusal of the patient to sign an informed consent to participate in the study and refusal to cooperate;
2. Inability to be in a standing position (less than 15 minutes), due to pathological vegetative reactions (orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmia, etc.);
3. Pregnant, lactating women and women planning pregnancy
4. The severity and instability of the somatic condition that prevents verticalization, the presence of contraindications for physical exertion and walking.
5. Acute infectious diseases, febrile syndrome;
6. Availability of pacemakers;
7. Blood pathologies;
8. Active form of rheumatism
9. Condition after stitching of muscles, tendons, nerves
10. Chronic diseases in the decompensation stage;
11. Severe vegetative dysreflexia, uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AD system. more than 180 mm Hg, AD diast. more than 100 mm Hg);
12. Attacks of angina pectoris at rest or ECG-signs of myocardial ischemia at rest;
13. Myocardial infarction less than 6 months ago;
14. Heart defects;
15. Paroxysmal and persistent form of atrial fibrillation;
16. Sinus bradycardia (less than 50 beats per minute) and tachycardia (more than 90 beats per minute). At rest and more than 130 beats . in min. under load);
17. Atrioventricular block of I-III degree;
18. Acute venous thrombosis and / or thrombophlebitis of any localization, edema of the lower extremities 2-3 art.
19. Circulatory insufficiency above functional class II according to NYHA
20. Aneurysm of the aorta and cerebral arteries;
21. Hypercoagulation, erythrocytosis.
22. Decompensation of diabetes mellitus.
23. Trophic disorders - bedsores in the places of attachment of the exoskeleton;
24. Epilepsy and other paroxysmal disorders of consciousness;
25. Ankylosis, fixed contractures, deforming arthrosis 3-4 ct, arthritis/synovitis, condition after endoprosthetics, arthroplasty of the joints of the lower extremities;
26. Ungrown fractures or unstable osteosynthesis of the spine, pelvic bones, lower extremities;
27. Instability (subluxations and dislocations) in the joints of the legs
28. Pronounced muscle spasticity (more than 3 points) or significant growth after training;
29. Osteoporosis
30. Systemic connective tissue diseases
31. Malignant tumors.
32. Motor and sensory aphasia
33. Cognitive impairment (less than 26 points on MoCA)
34. Increasing/persistent compression of the spinal cord, its roots, ponytail or ves