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L'Efficacia di Diverse Durate dell'Impulso della NMES nei Pazienti con Spasticità Correlata al Tratto Piramidale Misurata mediante Strumenti Neurofisiologici (PD-NMES-SPAS)

5 ottobre 2026 aggiornato da: Athanasios K. Chasiotis, University of West Attica

L'Efficacia della Stimolazione Elettrica Neuromuscolare (NMES) con Durata dell'Impulso Elevata versus Bassa nei Pazienti con Spasticità dell'Arto Superiore correlata al Tratto Piramidale Misurata con Strumenti Neurofisiologici: Uno Studio Randomizzato Controllato

Spasticity is a common symptom that affects more than 50% of patients with upper motor neuron lesions due to damage on pyramidal tract. Despite the current pharmacological and physical therapy rehabilitation methods, previous studies have highlighted the beneficial role of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on managing upper limb spasticity. However, due to heterogeneity of application parameters there is a lack of a standardized protocol for spasticity management. The aim of the study will be to examine the effects of high versus low pulse duration neuromuscular electrical stimulation on upper limb spasticity on patients with pyramidal tract-related spasticity.

A total of 45 patients will be randomized (1:1:1 ratio) to either high pulse duration NMES (HPD-NMES) or low pulse duration NMES (LPD-NMES) or Control group, receiving the standard of care. Randomization will be performed by an independent investigator, who will allocate participants to one of three groups, using a random number generator, prior to baseline assessment. Each group will receive a 15min-conventional-physiotherapeutic protocol. HPD-NMES and LPD-NMES will receive an additional 30min-NMES protocol of high and low pulse duration, respectively. Pre and post intervention spasticity will be evaluated using Range of Motion (ROM) of the elbow joint through electronic goniometer, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and surface electromyography (EMG). Furthermore, Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and 12-version of World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAs) will be used for evaluating participants' quality of life. Statistical analysis will aim to highlight the effects of NMES both on the EMG-electrophysiological parameters and on clinical evaluation scales. Additionally, it will seek to determine which of the two NMES pulse durations produced more beneficial results in reducing spasticity levels.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Completato

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

Spasticity can be characterized as a clinical phenotype related to upper motor neuron syndrome and is highly correlated with pyramidal tract lesions, leading to patients' quality of life degradation. The assessment of spasticity encompasses both clinical rating scales (such as Modified Ashworh Scale, Modified Tardieu Scale and Composite Spasticity Scale) and neurophysiological approaches through surface electromyography (such as Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) , Mwave, and Hmax/Mmax ratio (or M/H amplitude ratio), which seem to be elevated in spasticity. A wide spectrum of therapeutic modalities, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, have been developed for the management of spasticity. Among non-pharmacological interventions, physical therapy through Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation can be used to manage upper and lower limb spasticity through the reduction of stretch reflex excitability, facilitation reciprocal inhibition and spinal excitability modulation.

This randomized controlled trial consists of:

  • Participants randomization into one control group (group A, n=15) and two intervention groups: group B (High Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation/HPD-NMES, n=15), group C (Low Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation/LPD-NMES, n=15).
  • Conventional Physiotherapy training program for 15 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total (groups A, B,C) and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation protocol for 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total (Group B=HPD-NMES and Group C=LPD-NMES)
  • Primary spasticity evaluation tool at baseline and post intervention (6weeks) through surface electromyography.
  • Secondary spasticity evaluation tools (Modified Ashworth Scale/MAS, Range of Motion/ROM, Modified Barthel Index/MBI and 12 version World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0/ WHODAS 2.0) at baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks).

Statistical analysis will aim to highlight the effects of NMES both on the EMG-electrophysiological parameters and on clinical evaluation scales. Additionally, it will seek to determine which of the two NMES pulse durations produced more beneficial results in reducing spasticity levels.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Effettivo)

45

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Luoghi di studio

    • Attica
      • Athens, Attica, Grecia, 12462
        • Attikon Hospital

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

18 anni e precedenti (Adulto, Adulto più anziano)

Accetta volontari sani

No

Sessi ammissibili allo studio

Tutto

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • diagnosis by neurologist with first damage of pyramidal tract with upper limb spasticity
  • absence of cognitive dysfunction
  • normal vital signs
  • absence of pharmacological treatment of spasticity (per os pharmacological treatment does not affect spasticity results and was not an exclusion criteria on patients' recruitment).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • prior neurological damage to pyramidal tract
  • cognitive decline
  • dermatological damages
  • prior musculoskeletal dysfunction on the upper limb with spasticity
  • presence of metallic residues on the spastic upper limb
  • presence of seizures or psychiatric disorders
  • severe malformation or obesity (BMI >30kg/m2)
  • history of coronary or other cardiovascular diseases (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
  • presence of systematic inflammatory disease
  • cancer on terminal stages
  • pregnancy.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Trattamento
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Triplicare

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: High Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (HPD-NMES)

Participants will receive 15 minutes Conventional physiotherapy training program (same as control group) and 30 minutes High Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (HPD-NMES)

30 minutes High Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (HPD-NMES)

  • NMES Application Parameters:

    • Waveform: rectangular, biphasic. Symmetrical
    • Pulse Duration:450μsec
    • Frequency: 100Hz
    • Intensity: Optical muscle contraction and patients' tolerability
    • Ramp up: 2sec
    • Ramp down:2sec
    • ON/OFFtime: 10sec/30sec (1:3)
  • Treatment Duration: 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total.

Altri nomi:
  • HPD-NMES

Conventional physiotherapy training program

  • Seated upper extremity program, single limb exercises, strength training, stretching training (with or without) external resistance, Neurofacilitatory techniques (ie. Propriocetive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), NeuroDevelopmental Treatment- Bobath (NDT-Bobath) etc)
  • Treatment Duration: 15minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total.
Altri nomi:
  • Gruppo di controllo
Sperimentale: Low Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (LPD-NMES)

Participants will receive 15 minutes Conventional physiotherapy training program (same as control group) and 30 minutes Low Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (LPD-NMES)

Conventional physiotherapy training program

  • Seated upper extremity program, single limb exercises, strength training, stretching training (with or without) external resistance, Neurofacilitatory techniques (ie. Propriocetive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), NeuroDevelopmental Treatment- Bobath (NDT-Bobath) etc)
  • Treatment Duration: 15minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total.
Altri nomi:
  • Gruppo di controllo

30 minutes Low Pulse Duration Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (LPD-NMES)

  • NMES Application Parameters:

    • Waveform: rectangular, biphasic. Symmetrical
    • Pulse Duration:100μsec
    • Frequency: 100Hz
    • Intensity: Optical muscle contraction and patients' tolerability
    • Ramp up: 2sec
    • Ramp down:2sec
    • ON/OFFtime: 10sec/30sec (1:3)
  • Treatment Duration: 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total.

Altri nomi:
  • LPD-NMES
Altro: Control

Patients will receive 15 minute conventional physiotherapy training program that includes seated upper extremity program, single limb exercises, strength training, stretching training (with or without) external resistance, Neurofacilitatory techniques (ie. Propriocepive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), NeuroDevelopmental Treatment -Bobath (NDT-Bobath) etc)

Conventional physiotherapy training program

  • Seated upper extremity program, single limb exercises, strength training, stretching training (with or without) external resistance, Neurofacilitatory techniques (ie. Propriocetive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), NeuroDevelopmental Treatment- Bobath (NDT-Bobath) etc)
  • Treatment Duration: 15minutes per session, 3 times per week for 6 weeks total.
Altri nomi:
  • Gruppo di controllo

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Changes in surface electromyography (EMG) parameters
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and 6 weeks

1. Changes in surface electromyography (EMG) parameters (Hoffmann reflex(H-reflex) of the flexor carpi radialis, M wave, F response of the median nerve, Hmax/Mmax ratio (or M/H amplitude ratio), motor unit number estimation (MUNE) and F response of the spastic upper limb).

Baseline and 6 weeks

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Modified Ashworth Scale
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and 6 weeks

1. Changes in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores. A 5-item evaluation scale that assessed muscle hypertonia. The minimum score is 0 (normal muscle tone) and the maximum is 4 (limb rigid). Higher scores indicate increase in spasticity.

Baseline and 6 weeks
Range Of Motion
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and 6 weeks

Changes in Range of Motion (ROM) scores: The assessment will be conducted using an electronic goniometer to precisely determine the range of motion of the elbow joint affected by spasticity. Patients will be positioned in the supine position on the examination table with the affected side oriented toward the examiner. Then, the examiner will align the goniometer with anatomical landmarks the base of the goniometer over the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, the stable axis along the humerus and the movable axis along the radius. The angle of the elbow-flexion will be recorded, and the measured value will be substracted from 145o (the range of motion of a full elbow flexion) in order to calculate elbow extension. Decreases in elbow extension scores indicate reduction in spasticity levels.

Baseline and 6 weeks
Modified Barthel Index
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and 6 weeks

Changes in Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores. Modified Barthel Index is an evaluation scale that assesses patient's performance in activities of daily living. It consists of 10 domains with activities of daily living and mobility. Greater scores are correlated with decreased level of dependence

Baseline and 6 weeks
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and 6 weeks

Changes in 12 version World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) scores: WHODAS 2.0 is an evaluation scale that assesses perceived disability associated with the health condition in the 30 days preceding its application. Is divided into six domains: i) cognition, ii) mobility, iii) self-care, iv) interpersonal relationships, v) activities of daily living and vi) participation. Each item is rated from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (extreme difficulty or unable to do). Larger scores refer to larger disability.

Baseline and 6 weeks
Changes in biceps brachii diameter (Ultrasound, objective measure)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline and 6 weeks

Biceps brachii diameter will be objectively assessed by standardized multi-mode ultrasound at baseline and in 6 weeks in all three study groups (HPD-NMES, LPD-NMES, and Control). The diameter's assessment will be measured on 90o elbow flexion and on 0ο extension.This non-invasive, safe and reproduciple measure requires minimal time and is conducted within scheduled study visits, without altering trial design, primary outcomes, or participant burden.

Baseline and 6 weeks

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Collaboratori

Pubblicazioni e link utili

La persona responsabile dell'inserimento delle informazioni sullo studio fornisce volontariamente queste pubblicazioni. Questi possono riguardare qualsiasi cosa relativa allo studio.

Pubblicazioni generali

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

6 gennaio 2026

Completamento primario (Effettivo)

30 giugno 2026

Completamento dello studio (Effettivo)

31 luglio 2026

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

10 dicembre 2025

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

26 dicembre 2025

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

6 gennaio 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

7 ottobre 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

5 ottobre 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 ottobre 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • 45492/16-05-2025

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .