Motor and Neurophysiological Changes After Ischemic Conditioning in Individuals With Stroke

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · Jun 6, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a technique called ischemic conditioning, which involves temporarily restricting blood flow to the thigh, to see if it can help improve walking ability in individuals who have had a stroke. The researchers want to find out if this method can change brain activity and lead to better strength and control in the legs, as well as faster walking speeds compared to a "sham" treatment (where participants receive a placebo treatment that looks the same but doesn’t restrict blood flow).

To participate in this trial, individuals must be at least six months post-stroke and have some difficulty with walking. However, people with certain conditions affecting the brain, other neurological disorders, or those who have had recent treatments like Botox for leg muscles are not eligible. Participants will take part in two sessions: one with real ischemic conditioning and one with the sham treatment. Before and after each session, they will undergo tests to measure brain activity and walking ability. This study aims to discover if this innovative technique can lead to meaningful improvements in recovery after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Single, stroke \> 6 months since onset
• • Residual hemiparetic gait deficits (e.g., abnormal gait pattern)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Lesions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum
• • Other neurological disorders that may interfere with motor function
• • Unhealed decubiti, persistent infections that may interfere with ability to perform test procedures
• • Significant cognitive or communication impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE\<21)), which could impede the understanding of the purpose of procedures of the study
• • Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatments to the lower limb within the past 6 months
• • Pregnant women
• • Contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or ischemic conditioning (IC) (Listed below)
• TMS General Exclusion Criteria:
• • Previous adverse reaction to TMS
• • Skull abnormalities or fractures
• • Concussion within the last 6 months
• • Unexplained, recurring headaches
• • Implanted cardiac pacemaker
• • Metal implants in the head or face
• • History of seizures or epilepsy
• • Use of medications that could alter cortical excitability or increase risk of seizure (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants)
• • Current pregnancy
• IC General Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of thrombosis (i.e., blood clots) including venous thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• • Blood clots in the leg, or any condition in which compression of the thigh or transient ischemia is contraindicated (i.e., open wounds in the leg, bruising, nerve damage, etc.)
• • Peripheral arterial grafts in the lower extremity
• • History of uncontrolled hypertension
• • History of peripheral vascular disease or hematological disease