RecruitingNot Applicable

Effects of the EMG-driven Hand Robot Training in Patients With Hand Dysfunction Due to Nerve Damage From Burns

South Korea60 participantsStarted 2023-12-06

Plain-language summary

Hands are the most frequent burn injury sites. Appropriate rehabilitation is essential to ensure good functional recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EMG driven robotic rehabilitation on hand functions and skin characteristics of patients with nerve damage caused by burns. A randomized controlled, single blind trial recruited the patients with hand dysfunction after burn injury. The participants were randomly allocated to experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) for 5 days a week and totally 60 sessions for 12 weeks. The EG received robotic assisted hand training with the EMG-driven exoskeleton hand robot (Hand of Hope®.Rehab-Robotics Company) and conventional occupational therapy. The CG performed conventional occupational therapy, including hand range of motion (ROM) exercises and hand functional training twice a day for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were as follows: 10-point visual analog scale for pain, Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, grip strength, Purdue Pegboard test, joint ROMs, ultrasound measurement of scar thickness, and skin characteristics before and immediately after 12 weeks of treatment. There is still no established protocol for burn injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EMG driven robotic rehabilitation on hand functions and skin characteristics of patients with nerve damage and scarring caused by burns.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 75 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * ≥ 18 years old * more than 50% of the hand is burned * burns occurred on the right hand, which is the dominant hand * had a deep partial-thickness (second-degree) or a full-thickness (third-degree) burn, which had been treated with a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) after the burn injury * nerve injury to the hand was confirmed by electromyography * all patients were in the re-epithelialization phase Exclusion Criteria: * other causes of musculoskeletal diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative joint diseases et al) that may affect hand dysfunctions * unstable scars (acute infection or coagulopathy) that may cause damage to the scar area during hand treatment

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

A 10-point visual analog scale (VAS)

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06563336

SponsorHangang Sacred Heart Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-15

Contact for this trial

Sung Rakyum

82-2-2639-5900 sung6652@hallym.or.kr

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Burn Hand trials