Ischemic Conditioning Improves Walking Function Post Stroke

Launched by MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · Jul 26, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new method called Ischemic Conditioning (IC) to see if it can help people who have had a stroke improve their walking ability. IC is a simple, non-invasive treatment that has shown promise in helping healthy individuals with their motor and cardiovascular functions, but it has not yet been tested in stroke survivors. The researchers believe that IC could help activate certain nerves and improve blood flow, which might lead to better movement and faster walking speeds.

To participate in this trial, stroke survivors need to be at least one year post-stroke, between the ages of 18 and 85, and have some difficulty walking. Participants will undergo the IC treatment along with other therapies to track their progress over time. Healthy individuals can also join the study, but they must not have a history of stroke. It's important for potential participants to understand the eligibility requirements and that they will be contributing to important research that could improve rehabilitation after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria (Stroke Survivors):
• • 1. be ≥ 1 year post diagnosis of a unilateral, cortical stroke and have residual lower extremity paresis
• • 2. be between the ages of 18-85
• • 3. be able to give informed consent
• • 4. walk slower than normative values based on age and sex
• Exclusion Criteria (Stroke Survivors):
• • 1. history of deep vein thrombosis or any condition in which transient ischemia to the lower extremity is contraindicated
• • 2. inability to follow 2 step commands
• • 3. chronic low back or hip pain
• • 4. history of substance abuse
• • 5. history of head trauma
• • 6. comorbid neurological disorder
• • 7. any uncontrolled medical condition
• • 8. pacemaker
• • 9. any condition where fatiguing contractions or resisted leg contractions are contraindicated
• • 10. inability to walk for 5 minute bouts on a treadmill with a harness supporting up to 50% of the body weight at 80% of over-ground self-selected walking speed.
• Inclusion Criteria (Healthy Control Subjects):
• • 1. be between ages of 18-85
• • 2. be able to give informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria (Healthy Control Subjects):
• • 1. Those listed above for stroke survivors
• • 2. History of Stroke