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StrokeNCT07149129

Biofeedback After Stroke

A study testing Electromyographic Biofeedback in people with Stroke, run by Universidade Federal do Paraná at 1 site in Brazil.

Enrolling by invitation

Enrolling by invitation. The study team selects and invites participants, usually from an existing group of patients.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Studies show that the use of electromyographic biofeedback combined with other therapies contributes to the reduction of upper limb spasticity after stroke. However, there is a lack of literature regarding the best protocols to use in clinical practice, as well as functional outcomes after this therapy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 60 years
Conditions the study is for
Stroke
What is being tested?
Electromyographic Biofeedback
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
45 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
Aug 2025to Jun 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 60 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke (imaging tests and a medical report)
  • Spasticity with an Ashworth score equal to or less than 3 in the upper limb
  • 20-60 years old

Who cannot join

  • Other neurological impairments or trauma-orthopedic deformities in the upper limbs
  • botulinum toxin/phenol injections within the previous 5 months
  • medications that reduce muscle tone
  • aphasia that prevents basic communication
  • low vision or low visual acuity that prevents them from viewing the screen.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Brazil1 site
  • Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

    Curitiba, Paraná, 55

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Use of Electromyographic Biofeedback in Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke

Studies show that the use of electromyographic biofeedback combined with other therapies contributes to the reduction of upper limb spasticity after stroke. However, there is a lack of literature regarding the best protocols to use in clinical practice, as well as functional outcomes after this therapy. The objective of this research project will be to investigate the effect of electromyographic biofeedback on spasticity in individuals post-stroke in the sub-acute phase, and its outcomes regarding upper limb function and participation in activities of daily living. The study will be a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial in which the 45 participants will be divided into two groups: the experimental group will receive electromyographic biofeedback combined with functional training, and the control group will receive functional training with placebo biofeedback alone. The study hypothesis is that the use of electromyographic biofeedback contributes to improved functional outcomes and participation in activities of daily living in patients with upper limb spasticity resulting from stroke.

Conditions
Stroke
Being tested
Electromyographic Biofeedback, Sham (No Treatment)
Keywords
muscle spasticity, stroke, biofeedback, electromyography
Medical subject headings
Stroke, Muscle Spasticity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Electromyographic BiofeedbackDevice

    This intervention phase will last 30 minutes of training, during which the participant will be encouraged to actively and voluntarily relax their spastic muscles and will receive visual feedback through the software when this occurs. Two modes will be used in the software: the first, called "Recovery", which consists of a game in which the participant is encouraged to contract and relax their muscles in order to guide a rocket in a specific direction to earn points. The second, called "Maestro", in which the participant's objective is to keep the rocket below the specified line while maintaining their muscles relaxed. The participant will perform each mode for 15 minutes, totaling the proposed 30 minutes. There may be a break between each mode if the participant experiences fatigue. Afterward, they will receive standard occupational therapy.

  • Sham (No Treatment)Device

    The intervention with the placebo group will have an identical structure to that of the intervention group, but during the biofeedback phase, the software screen will be a simulation, not corresponding to the patient's muscle activity. The patient will receive occupational therapy as usual, in a manner identical to that of the intervention group after the placebo biofeedback therapy.

Study groups in NCT07149129
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
EMG Biofeedback - InterventionPlacebo comparatorThis intervention phase will last 30 minutes of training, during which the participant will be encouraged to actively and voluntarily relax their spastic muscles and will receive visual feedback through the software when this occurs. Two modes will be used in the software: the first, called "Recovery", which consists of a game in which the participant is encouraged to contract and relax their muscles in order to guide a rocket in a specific direction to earn points. The second, called "Maestro", in which the participant's objective is to keep the rocket below the specified line while maintaining their muscles relaxed. The participant will perform each mode for 15 minutes, totaling the proposed 30 minutes. There may be a break between each mode if the participant experiences fatigue. Afterward, they will receive standard occupational therapy.
Receives: Device: Electromyographic Biofeedback
EMG Biofeedback - ShamSham comparatorThe intervention with the placebo (sham) group will have an identical structure to that of the intervention group, but during the biofeedback phase, the software screen will be a simulation, not corresponding to the patient's muscle activity. The patient will receive occupational therapy as usual, in a manner identical to that of the intervention group after the placebo biofeedback therapy.
Receives: Device: Sham (No Treatment)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Ashworth

    The Ashworth scale will be used to measure the degree of spasticity of the upper limb muscles. The test will be performed manually and the score ranges from zero to four points. The higher the score, the greater the spasticity of the muscle tested.

    Measured: Ashworth will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Upper limb function and participation - The Functional Independence Measure (FIM)

    The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) will be used to potentially classify the level of dependence of the subject as: complete (18 to 45 points), moderate independence (46 to 99), and full independence (100 to 126). The lower the subject's score, the more dependent they are. The minimally clinically important difference for this evaluation is 22 points.

    Measured: The tests will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

  2. Upper limb function and participation - Modified Ashworth scale

    The Modified Ashworth scale will be used to measure the degree of spasticity in the upper limb musculature. The score ranges from zero to four points. The higher the score, the greater the spasticity of the tested muscle.

    Measured: The tests will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

  3. Upper limb function and participation - Motor Activity Log (MAL)

    The Motor Activity Log (MAL) measures how much the upper limb is used in daily activities. The average is directly proportional to the quantity and quality of upper limb use. In both scales, the minimally clinically relevant difference is 1.0 points if the paretic limb is not dominant or 1.1 points if the paretic limb is dominant.

    Measured: The tests will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

  4. Upper limb function and participation - Box and Block Test (BBT)

    In the Box and Block Test (BBT) the patient will be instructed to move as many blocks as possible from one side of the box to the other in 60 seconds, placing only one block at a time. The score obtained is equal to the number of blocks transported in one partition in one minute. It is assessed that the more blocks transported within the established time, the better the manual dexterity of the patient.

    Measured: The tests will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

  5. Upper limb function and participation - Jebsen Manual Function Test (JTT)

    Jebsen Manual Function Test (JTT) will require to the participant to perform six tasks: turning cards and small common objects, simulating feeding, stacking chips, moving large light and heavy objects. Each task will be timed, and the participant will have a maximum of 120 seconds to complete each task.

    Measured: The tests will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

  6. Upper limb function and participation - Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale

    Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale will be used to measure range of motion, coordination, reflex activity, tactile sensitivity, and proprioception of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand regions. The scale can be divided into two domains: motor (66 points) and sensory (12). The scoring can be from zero to three points, where: absent function is 0, 1 (one) is partial function, and 2 (two) is normal function. The minimally clinically important difference of this scale is 10% of the gross value, which is 6.6 points in the motor domain and 1.2 points in the sensory domain. Only scores for the affected limb will be considered.

    Measured: The tests will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Aug 2025
  2. Study startAug 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionDec 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJun 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Sham group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
45 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07149129
Sponsor's protocol ID
84156424.6.0000.5547
Other IDs
84156424.6.0000.5547
Status last verified
Aug 2025
First submitted
14 Aug 2025
Last updated
29 Aug 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Ethical or Consent Restrictions: Participants may not have given explicit consent for their data to be shared beyond the original study. Legal or Institutional Policies: Data sharing may be restricted by Brazillian laws.

Publications

  • Liu M, Xu L, Li H, Chen S, Chen B. Morphological and Functional Changes of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle After Combined Mirror Visual Feedback and Electromyographic Biofeedback in Poststroke Patients: A Randomized Trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2021 Aug 1;100(8):766-773. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001628.

    PubMed 33105154
  • Nordio S, Arcara G, Berta G, Dellai A, Brisotto C, Koch I, Cazzador D, Aspidistria M, Ventura L, Turolla A, D'Imperio D, Battel I. Biofeedback as an Adjunctive Treatment for Post-stroke Dysphagia: A Pilot-Randomized Controlled Trial. Dysphagia. 2022 Oct;37(5):1207-1216. doi: 10.1007/s00455-021-10385-2. Epub 2021 Nov 12.

    PubMed 34767083
  • Hou M, Zhao Y, Zhao L, Yuan X, Liu Z, Li H. Efficacy of game training combined with surface electromyography biofeedback on post-stroke dysphagia. Geriatr Nurs. 2024 Jan-Feb;55:255-262. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.11.019. Epub 2023 Dec 12.

    PubMed 38091711
  • Winstein CJ, Stein J, Arena R, Bates B, Cherney LR, Cramer SC, Deruyter F, Eng JJ, Fisher B, Harvey RL, Lang CE, MacKay-Lyons M, Ottenbacher KJ, Pugh S, Reeves MJ, Richards LG, Stiers W, Zorowitz RD; American Heart Association Stroke Council, Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, Council on Clinical Cardiology, and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2016 Jun;47(6):e98-e169. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000098. Epub 2016 May 4.

    PubMed 27145936
  • Feng S, Tang M, Huang G, Wang J, He S, Liu D, Gu L. EMG biofeedback combined with rehabilitation training may be the best physical therapy for improving upper limb motor function and relieving pain in patients with the post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome: A Bayesian network meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2023 Jan 10;13:1056156. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1056156. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36703623
  • Woodford H, Price C. EMG biofeedback for the recovery of motor function after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Apr 18;2007(2):CD004585. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004585.pub2.

    PubMed 17443550
  • Elshafey MA, Abd-Elaziem A, Gouda RE. Functional stretching exercise submitted for spastic diplegic children: a randomized control study. Rehabil Res Pract. 2014;2014:814279. doi: 10.1155/2014/814279. Epub 2014 Jul 20.

    PubMed 25143834
  • Koh SH, Park HH. Neurogenesis in Stroke Recovery. Transl Stroke Res. 2017 Feb;8(1):3-13. doi: 10.1007/s12975-016-0460-z. Epub 2016 Mar 18.

    PubMed 26987852

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Electromyographic Biofeedback in people with Stroke, run by Universidade Federal do Paraná at 1 site in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Ashworth (time frame: Ashworth will be applied at pre (baseline), through study completion, an average of 1 month.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07149129, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Aug 2025.

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