Electrical Impedance Tomography for the Assessment of Neurological Disease

Overview of study. This is an observational study that is intended to provide the first in-human data using EIT as a biomarker of muscle health in neuromuscular conditions. We will seek patients with neurological disorders (both neuromuscular and other neurological conditions) as well as healthy subjects for study. EIT measurements will be performed on appendicular muscles (in the upper and lower extremities) depending on the condition, both at rest and with contraction. EIT measurements will be repeated on an intermittent basis to assess repeatability as well disease progression or improvement over time.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Neuromuscular Disease Patients; Central Neurological Disease Patients

Detailed Description

1. Overview of study. This is an observational study that is intended to provide the first in-human data using EIT as a biomarker of muscle health in neuromuscular conditions. We will seek patients with neurological disorders (both neuromuscular and other neurological conditions) as well as healthy subjects for study. EIT measurements will be performed on appendicular muscles (in the upper and lower extremities) depending on the condition, both at rest and with contraction. EIT measurements will be repeated on an intermittent basis to assess repeatability as well disease progression or improvement over time.

2. History and examination (All participants). After reviewing the purpose and procedures of the study, the subject, or a legally authorized representative (LAR), will be asked to sign the internal review board-approved informed consent form.

   Basic medical, social, and family histories will then be obtained and recorded. Previous medical records will be reviewed and the neurological diagnosis confirmed when possible. Information including Body Mass Index (BMI), presence of a gastrostomy, imaging findings, and blood tests will be noted when available. Medications, including drug doses, history of recent medication changes, and duration of treatment) will be reviewed.

   Brief general neurological examinations will then be completed.

3. EIT measurements (All participants).We will be using a SwissTom Pioneer EIT data acquisition system. SwissTom has developed a clinical EIT system which is not FDA-approved, although approved in Europe for lung imaging. It comprises an elastic belt that is connected to a computer via a universal serial bus (USB) or an Ethernet cable. Via multiple surface electrodes on the belt, EIT data is captured and transmitted via the USB or Ethernet cable to the computer. Low resolution, tomography-like impedance images of the muscle are computed and displayed on the computer. The impedance images will be used to evaluate muscle recruitment and other muscle function parameters.

   The data acquisition system includes a unit that transmits a small imperceptible electrical current into the chest, via a pair of operator-selected electrodes, while voltage is sensed on all remaining electrodes. The frequency of the transmitted current ranges from 100 Hz to 1 MHz. For frequencies from 100 Hz to 1 kHz, the current amplitude is limited to a maximum of 0.1 mA. From 1 kHz to 100 kHz, the current amplitude is limited to a maximum of 0.1*f mA, where f is the frequency of the current. For frequencies higher than 100 kHz, the current amplitude is limited to a maximum of 10 mA. This meets the safety requirements for applied current as specified in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60601-1 safety standard for medical devices.

   During data acquisition, the patient may be asked to contract the muscles against resistance of the examiner or against a standard force transducer. The patient may also be asked to contract the muscle while holding a weight in the hand or with a weighted band around the ankle.

   EIT measurements may be repeated to assess repeatability within the session.

4. Ultrasound measurements. An FDA-approved Terason t3000 system may be performed on the muscle or muscle region being assessed in order to better assess the internal anatomy of the region being imaged. These measurements may be done with muscle in a relaxed or a contracted state depending on the specific situation.
5. Handheld dynamometry. In patients who have weakness on standard neurological examination, further quantification of weakness may be obtained by performing handheld dynamometry using a MicroFet2 handheld dynamometry (Hoggan Health Industries, Provo, UT) on relevant muscles. A trained examiner may perform all measurements and the best of 3 trials utilized.
6. Relevant validated questionnaires. Depending on the disease, appropriate validated scales may be incorporated including the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R, ALS patients only) or the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS, Parkinson's Disease patients only).
7. Follow-up visits. Depending on the diagnosis, the participant will be asked if they are willing to return for follow-up at some later point (likely 3-months to 1-year later, depending the specific diagnosis and subject convenience).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 36

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Soleil Samaan; Phone Number: 617-667-3053; Email: ssamaan@bidmc.harvard.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
      • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 19 years to 78 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Neuromuscular disease patients (well-defined, localized or generalized neuromuscular condition producing weakness or muscle atrophy, including disuse atrophy) and Central neurological disease patients (well-defined disorder affecting the central nervous system that impacts motor function, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and multiple sclerosis)

Description

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21 to 80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Generalized neuromuscular disease or debilitated state due to underlying medical disease such as heart failure or malignancy

Neuromuscular disease patients:

Inclusion criteria:

1. Age 21 to 80 years;
2. History of awell-defined, localized or generalized neuromuscular condition producing weakness or muscle atrophy, including disuse atrophy.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Multiple generalized neuromuscular conditions.

Central neurological disease patients:

Inclusion criteria:

1. Age 21 to 80 years;
2. History of a well-defined disorder affecting the central nervous system that impacts motor function, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, and multiple sclerosis

Exclusion criteria:

1. Multiple generalized neuromuscular conditions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Healthy; EIT measurements will be performed on appendicular muscles (in the upper and lower extremities) depending on the condition, both at rest and with contraction. EIT measurements will be repeated on an intermittent basis to assess repeatability as well disease progression or improvement over time
Neuromuscular disease patients and Central neurological disease patients; EIT measurements will be performed on appendicular muscles (in the upper and lower extremities) depending on the condition, both at rest and with contraction. EIT measurements will be repeated on an intermittent basis to assess repeatability as well disease progression or improvement over time

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To establish normative values for EIT data and reproducibility in adult healthy subjects.	First, we will assess simple percent variability by comparing test-retest measurements and calculating absolute value differences. Secondly, we will perform intraclass correlation analysis of test-retest data. Third, we will perform Bland-Altman analyses with calculation of precision. By performing all three approaches, we will obtain the most complete assessment of the technique's reliability.	1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To identify EIT signal data to assist in characterizing muscle as impacted by neuromuscular diseases versus healthy controls versus central neurological conditions.	We will test for over-fitting the data and ensure that the outcomes used are generally applicable. Initial analysis will consist of one-way ANOVA with post-hoc t-tests to confirm basic discrimination followed by ROC analyses. The goal will be to identify the best set of metrics for disease discrimination.	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Collaborators: Dartmouth College
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Seward Rutkove, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 28, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 23, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): August 23, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): February 14, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 13, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2019P000431

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No