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Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia (GRASP)

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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02925273
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : October 5, 2016
Last Update Posted : October 28, 2019
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Lauren Fedor, Rowan University

Study Description
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Brief Summary:
In this study, the investigators will determine the difference between the two techniques used to elicit the grasp response in patients with frontal lobe dysfunction, primarily in dementia patients versus control patients.

Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Dementia Other: palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation Other: standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation Not Applicable

Detailed Description:
The goal of this project is to determine the optimal technique to elicit the grasping response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction. The proposed study is to perform two techniques to elicit grasp response in patients with dementia or suspected frontal lobe dysfunction and observe the presence or absence of the response and prominence of the response on a proposed rating scale. Future goals will be aimed at aiding clinicians in refining their clinical techniques to be more sensitive for diagnosing frontal lobe dysfunctions.
Study Design
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Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment : 1 participants
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Official Title: The Effect of Hand Grasping Techniques on Eliciting the Grasp Reflex in Patients With Dementia or Suspected Frontal Lobe Dysfunction
Study Start Date : July 2016
Actual Primary Completion Date : May 23, 2018
Actual Study Completion Date : May 23, 2018

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus related topics: Dementia

Arms and Interventions
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Arm Intervention/treatment
Standard
Prospective, grasp techniques will be compared in each patient from the experimental group using a palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation and a standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation on the same patient as the control group
 Other: palmar grasp without dorsal stimulation

The patient will then be asked to keep the arms at 90 degrees and the researcher will slightly stroke palm and fingers of both hands of the patient simultaneously. After completion of each technique, the presence or absence of the response will be noted. In addition, the prominence of the response on the rating scale will be obtained as explained below.

The scaling of the grasp response is as followed:

  1. Flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint of the hand
  2. Flexion at the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand
  3. Flexion at the metacarpal-phalangeal joint of the hand

Other: standard palmar grasp test with dorsal stimulation
The patient will be asked to put their arms at 90 degrees and the researcher will hold one hand at the wrist and dorsum of the palm and lightly stroke the palm and fingers. The patient will be instructed to relax hands and not hold on while doing the grasp and see if the response persists. The same technique will be repeated for the patient's other hand.


Outcome Measures
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Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Grasp response [ Time Frame: six months ]
    The primary objective of the study will be to determine if a change in the performance of the grasp response will lead to a change in the way the response is elicited. The prominence of the grasp response will be scored on a rating scale


Secondary Outcome Measures :
  1. Frontal Lobe release- Glabellar Response [ Time Frame: six months ]
    The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The glabellar response will be tested.

  2. Frontal lobe release- Palmomental Response [ Time Frame: six months ]
    The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The palmomental response will be tested.

  3. Frontal lobe release- Snout Response [ Time Frame: six months ]
    The secondary objective during this study will be to determine if other frontal release signs are present in study participants. The snout response will be tested.


Eligibility Criteria
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Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older   (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Ability to sign informed consent or have a surrogate present to sign the consent
  2. Age 18 or above
  3. Patients are diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or frontal lobe dysfunction
  4. Medications are to remain stable during the course of the study except for emergency modifications.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Inability to obtain informed consent from patient or surrogate
  2. Unable to follow commands.
  3. Physical restrictions (i.e. spasticity of hands/arms, upper extremity amputation)
  4. Other comorbidities such as muscular diseases, hepatic encephalopathy, renal failure, down syndrome, NPH, depression, and cerebral palsy.
Contacts and Locations
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Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02925273


Locations
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United States, New Jersey
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Stratford, New Jersey, United States, 08084
Sponsors and Collaborators
Rowan University
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Donald Barone, DO Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
More Information
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Responsible Party: Lauren Fedor, Program Manager, Rowan University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02925273    
Other Study ID Numbers: GRASP
First Posted: October 5, 2016    Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted: October 28, 2019
Last Verified: October 2019
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
Plan to Share IPD: No
Keywords provided by Lauren Fedor, Rowan University:
dementia
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Dementia
Brain Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
 Nervous System Diseases
Neurocognitive Disorders
Mental Disorders