Recruiting

Hand Telerehabilitation

Sponsor:

University of Michigan

Code:

NCT07792655

Conditions

Stroke

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 40 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Technology-Supported Hand Training

Pamphlet-Supported Hand Activity

Study Details

Brief summary:

This pilot randomized controlled trial will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a home-based, technology-enabled hand telerehabilitation program for adults with chronic stroke. Participants will receive either remotely guided hand training or a standard home exercise program matched for duration and intensity. Outcomes will include measures of hand function, adherence, and feasibility to assess the potential of telerehabilitation for improving access to structured post-stroke hand rehabilitation.

Conditions

Stroke

Study ID

NCT07792655

Start date

Sep 15, 2026

Status verified date

Aug, 2026

Completion date

Jan 7, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 40 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Unilateral cortical or subcortical stroke
  • Chronic stroke (≥ 6 months since stroke)
  • No significant cognitive deficits as determined by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (score≥ 22)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cerebellar stroke
  • Unstable heart condition, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension
  • Recent trauma or fracture in the upper extremities
  • History of significant orthopedic or neurological conditions that could affect hand function (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
  • Recent history of significant spatial neglect
  • Joint contractures or significant spasticity in the hand
  • History of a recent Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injection to the upper-extremity muscles (≤ 3 months)
  • Pregnant or actively planning to become pregnant (self-reported)
  • Inability to communicate or unable to consent

Exclusion Criteria for subjects exposed to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS):

  • Unable to obtain reliable motor evoked potentials
  • Recent history of repeated fainting spells or syncope.
  • Recent history of seizure while on anti-seizure medication
  • Recent history of skull fracture/head injury
  • Ferromagnetic metal implants in the skull
  • Cochlear implant
  • Implanted deep brain stimulator
  • Implanted vagus nerve stimulator
  • Implanted cervical spine epidural stimulator
  • Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
  • Skull defect related to the current stroke
  • Previous serious adverse reaction to TMS
  • Implanted electronic cardiac device (e.g., cardiac pacemaker)

Study Design

Enrollment

22 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Technology-Supported Hand Training Group

Participants will undergo a remotely delivered, technology-supported hand training program that involves guided hand activities in 18 sessions over 6 weeks

active comparator: Pamphlet-Supported Hand Activity Group

Participants will undergo home therapy intervention guided by an advice plan created using typical occupational therapy guidance that includes 18 sessions over 6 weeks

Interventions

Technology-Supported Hand Training

Participants will undergo a remotely delivered, technology-supported hand training program that involves guided hand activities. These activities will target finger coordination, finger individuation, and performance in activities of daily living. Participants may interact with virtual or real passive items to supplement program activities. Activities will be guided remotely by a study team member using video conferencing.

Pamphlet-Supported Hand Activity

Participants will follow a home advice plan to improve hand function. The plan will be created based on the participant's ability and typical occupational therapy guidance. Activities may resemble typical hand rehabilitation activities performed in a therapy clinic and may involve passive items to supplement program activities. Participants will record their adherence to the program.

Primary outcome measure

  • Hand Spread [ Time Frame: Pre-intervention (an average of up to 1 week before the first intervention session) and post-intervention (an average of up to 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention) ]
  • Box and Block Test Score [ Time Frame: Pre-intervention (an average of up to 1 week before the first intervention session) and post-intervention (an average of up to 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention) ]
  • Stroke Impact Scale-Hand Score [ Time Frame: Pre-intervention (an average of up to 1 week before the first intervention session) and post-intervention (an average of up to 1 week after completion of the 6-week intervention) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Thomas E Augenstein, MSE, PhD

734-232-5147tomaugen@umich.edu

Chandramouli Krishnan, PT, PhD

734-936-4031mouli@umich.edu

Locations

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Suite 3011

Recruiting

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48108

Contacts

Thomas E Augenstein, MSE, PhD

734-232-5147tomaugen@umich.edu

Chandramouli Krishnan, PT, PhD

734-936-4031mouli@umich.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Michigan

Last update posted

Sep 1, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2026

Keywords

  • hand
  • upper extremity
  • stroke survivors
  • arm
  • hemiparesis
  • weakness
  • finger
  • individuation

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Michigan on 2026-09-01.