ESCAPS study version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early electrical stimulation to the wrist extensors and wrist flexors to prevent the post-stroke complications of pain and contractures in the paretic arm - a feasibility study
IRAS ID
166847
Contact name
Joanna C Fletcher-Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Stroke is the largest cause of adult disability in the United Kingdom. Loss of hand function, muscle weakness, pain, and joint deformities are persistent and disabling problems for nearly half of all stroke survivors. This can, in part, result from patients not getting adequate therapy targeting the hand and arm in the very early stages of rehabilitation. Previous research has highlighted the importance of early rehabilitation interventions after stroke. Although in stroke patients the damage is to the brain rather than the limbs, muscle wastage (atrophy) can occur soon after stroke through non-use. Muscle atrophy can even occur in those who have retained some degree of active arm movement. Electrical stimulation (ES) is a treatment in which small pulses of electrical current from a battery operated portable device are used to activate a paralysed muscle and produce a strong muscle contraction. ES has been shown to increase brain activity and can hence influence the formation of new nerve pathways (known as neuroplasticity) to replace those damaged by stroke. We plan to build on previous research by training clinical therapists to operate ES devices; starting ES much earlier after stroke; applying a higher intensity treatment to more of the forearm muscles (i.e. both the front and back of the forearm) and providing treatment for a longer period of time than previously carried out. We will evaluate the feasibility of incorporating ES into a patient self management programme to enable independent use outside of routine therapist led rehabilitation sessions.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0006
Date of REC Opinion
6 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion