RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Short-term Effect of Using Non-immersive Gamified Exercises on Chronic Pain in People With Stroke.

This study explores a new way to help people who have had a stroke and are experiencing ongoing shoulder pain. Researchers are testing special computer games, called 'non-immersive gamified exercises,' to see if they can reduce pain and improve how well people can move their arm and shoulder. These gamified exercises make rehabilitation more engaging, which could help people stick with their therapy. The study will compare these interactive games with regular video exercises. Researchers will measure pain levels, how much the arm can move, and muscle activity to understand the short-term benefits of this new approach for stroke survivors.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Exeter

Enrolment target

Start

01 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2025

Stroke Patients

What is this study about?

When someone has a stroke, it's really important to do rehabilitation exercises to help them recover and prevent long-term problems. Sometimes, people who have had a stroke also experience ongoing shoulder pain, which can make daily life difficult. This study is looking into a new and potentially fun way to help with this pain.

The study is investigating something called 'gamified non-immersive exercises.' Think of these as special computer games that you play to do your exercises, but you're still aware of your real-world surroundings, not fully immersed in a virtual one. The idea is that making exercises into a game can make them more enjoyable and encourage people to do them more consistently, which could lead to better results.

The main goal of this research is to discover if these gamified exercises can help reduce the level of shoulder pain someone feels. It also aims to see if they can improve how much a person can move their arm and shoulder, and how their muscles work during different activities. This study will help us understand if this new approach can be a good short-term option for people living with chronic pain after a stroke, compared to more traditional exercise methods.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new type of exercise using computer games for stroke survivors.
It's for people with ongoing mild to moderate shoulder or arm pain after a stroke.
The goal is to see if these games can reduce pain and improve arm movement.
Researchers will specifically measure pain, arm movement, and muscle activity.
This research focuses on the short-term benefits of these exercises compared to standard video exercises.
It's an observational study, meaning you won't be given new drugs, only guided exercises.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) who has had a stroke and is now experiencing some ongoing shoulder or upper arm pain. The pain should be mild to moderate, meaning it's noticeable but not extremely severe. You should also be able to understand and communicate in English with the research team.

It's important that you have some difficulty using your arm after the stroke, but can still move it a bit. You should also be able to walk at least ten metres (about 33 feet) without needing help. Your therapist will help decide if this study is safe and suitable for you, and you must be able to agree to take part yourself.

You won't be able to join if you have any other serious medical conditions that might make taking part unsafe, or if you've recently had multiple seizures. Also, if you have severe arm stiffness, or certain medical devices like a pacemaker, or issues with your vision or hearing that would prevent you from taking part, this study might not be right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had a stroke?
Do you have mild to moderate shoulder or arm pain (not too severe, but noticeable)?
Can you move your arm a little bit, even if it's difficult?
Can you walk at least 10 metres (about 33 feet) without help?
Can you understand and speak English well enough to talk with the researchers?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is designed to observe the effects of exercises, rather than give you new treatments or medications. If you take part, you'll be doing either gamified virtual reality exercises or video-based exercises. The researchers will be looking closely at how your body responds to these exercises. This will involve several assessments in a lab. They will measure how far you can move your shoulder using special sensors, check your muscle activity with stick-on patches (EMG), and look at blood flow in your brain (FNIRS) during your activities. Your pain levels will also be regularly assessed using a common pain scale. The total duration of your participation will depend on the study design, which focuses on short-term effects, but specific timings for visits and follow-ups are not detailed here.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might offer the benefit of potentially reducing your shoulder pain and improving your arm movement through new exercise approaches. However, as with any exercise program, there's always a small chance you might feel some temporary discomfort or fatigue. The researchers will be careful to ensure your safety throughout. Remember, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Vsimulator
Verified postcode
Exeter, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What does 'gamified non-immersive exercises' mean?

It means using special computer games to guide your exercises, but without being fully surrounded by a virtual world. You'll still be aware of your real surroundings.

Will I have to take new medication?

No, this study focuses on exercises, not new medications. You'll continue with your usual medical care.

Will this study cure my stroke or pain?

This study aims to see if certain exercises can help reduce your pain and improve arm movement in the short term. It's not designed as a cure for stroke or chronic pain.

How long will I be in the study?

The study looks at short-term effects, so your direct involvement is likely for a limited period, but the exact duration isn't specified here.

Can I choose which type of exercise I do?

The study design isn't detailed, but typically participants are assigned to a group (gamified or video exercises) to allow for fair comparison.

How to find out more

Shaghayegh Nayebi

sn506@exeter.ac.uk +447508489796 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.