Purpose

This is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential Phase II trial of human recombinant hyaluronidase injections in individuals with post-stroke upper limb muscle stiffness. The investigators will recruit 56 subjects, who will be randomized to receive either the intervention or normal saline injections (first injection), and then the intervention the participants did not receive first (second injection). All individuals will receive the treatment by the end of the study.

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke 4-180 months prior - Moderately-severe muscle stiffness - Lack of full passive and active range of motion in at least 2/4 areas (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist) in the hemiparetic upper limb; - Willingness to have MRI, complete all clinical assessments, and comply with study protocols; - Ability to give informed consent and HIPPA certifications; and

Exclusion Criteria

  • treatment of spasticity with Botulinum toxin or intrathecal baclofen within the past six months, phenol injections within the past 12 months, or ongoing adjustment of anti-spastic medications; - other neurologic condition that may affect motor response (e.g., Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), MS); - clinically significant cognitive dysfunction with score <19 on Folstein's Mini Mental Status Examination or depression with score >10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); - pregnancy; - known hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase; - claustrophobia; - standard contraindications for MRI - Any condition that will preclude the patient from completing the protocol as determined by the PI

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Double (Participant, Care Provider)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Treatment Arm
Hyaluronidase plus saline
  • Drug: Hyaluronidase
    HYLENEX recombinant, diluted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
    Other names:
    • Hylenex
Placebo Comparator
Control Arm
Normal Saline
  • Drug: Placebo
    0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection
    Other names:
    • Normal saline

Recruiting Locations

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore 4347778, Maryland 4361885 21231
Contact:
Azin Etemadimanesh, MD
410-955-1347
aetemad2@jhmi.edu

More Details

NCT ID
NCT03306615
Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University

Study Contact

Azin Etemadimanesh, MD
410-955-1347
aetemad2@jhmi.edu

Detailed Description

1. To test the effect of hyaluronidase injections on upper limb outcomes. The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, human recombinant hyaluronidase injections will increase passive range of motion (ROM) in the most affected joint of the upper limb (primary outcome), isometric muscle strength or force generation capacity using Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) on electromyography (EMG), reduce upper limb motor impairment as measured by the Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale, and improve function as measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). 2. To evaluate the effect of hyaluronidase on neural and non-neural components of muscle stiffness. The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, intramuscular (IM) hyaluronidase will modulate the passive and potentially also the active component of the stretch reflex, reduce stiffness and improve arm motor control. 3. To determine the effect of hyaluronidase on intramuscular glycosaminoglycans (GAG) content. The investigators will test the hypothesis that compared to placebo, IM hyaluronidase will reduce the T1rho relaxation times in the biceps and triceps muscles of the affected arm.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.