Evaluation of Sensorimotor Ankle Impairments in Chronic Stroke

Launched by SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB · May 8, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding how ankle function is affected in people who have had a stroke for a long time. The researchers want to test new ways to measure how well the ankle works, using both new techniques and standard tests that are already known. They will compare the results from stroke patients with those from healthy individuals of the same age. By doing this, the study aims to find better ways to assess and support recovery of movement and function in stroke patients.

To participate in this study, individuals need to be between 40 and 80 years old and should be able to walk independently for at least 10 meters. They must also be able to understand and speak English. Healthy participants should not have any neurological disorders or conditions that could affect their movements. Those who have had a stroke should have experienced it at least six months prior and have some basic ability to move their ankles. The study is not yet recruiting participants, but those who are eligible can expect to undergo tests that measure their ankle function and walking ability, contributing valuable information to help improve stroke rehabilitation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion criteria
• • 40 - 80 years of age, inclusive
• • Normal hearing and vision, can be corrected
• • No skin allergies to adhesive material, conductive paste, or silver
• • Ability to walk \>10m independently on level ground without an assistive device or bracing
• • Able to understand and give informed consent
• • Able to understand and speak English
• Inclusion criteria specific for healthy participants:
• • No neurological disorders
• • Absence of pathology that could cause abnormal movements of extremities (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, marked arthritis, chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries)
• Inclusion criteria specific for participants post-stroke:
• • Unilateral, supratentorial ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke ≥ six months prior
• • Minimum activation against gravity for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, equivalent to a Manual Muscle Test (MMT) score of ≥ +2
• • Self-selected walking speed is less than 1.2 m/s
• • Exclusion criteria
• • Cognitive limitations that would prevent playing games
• • Adults unable to consent, pregnant women, children, or prisoners
• • Infection, wounds, or graft sites on lower limbs
• • History of sustained non-prescribed drug use or substance abuse (as reported by subject; current nicotine use is allowed)
• • History of peripheral nerve injury
• • Severe hip, knee, or ankle arthritis
• • Recent fracture or osteoporosis (as reported by subject)
• • Bone or joint instability in the lower limb
• • Severe pain syndromes affecting any part of the lower limbs
• • Fixed contractures affecting the lower limbs
• • Medical (cardiac, renal, hepatic, oncological) or psychiatric disease that would interfere with study procedures
• • Inability or unwillingness to perform study-required activities
• • Prior neurosurgical procedures
• Exclusion criteria specific for healthy participants:
• • - Any neurological diseases (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease or other neurodegenerative disorder, severe dementia, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or cancer of the central nervous system)
• Exclusion criteria specific for participants post-stroke:
• • Co-existence of other neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease or other neurodegenerative disorder, severe dementia, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or cancer of the central nervous system)
• • Botox (botulinum toxin) injection to lower limbs within the prior 3 months
• • Significant spasticity or contracture in the lower limbs (Modified Ashworth Scale score of 4)
• • Severe aphasia
• • Significant loss of sensation in the lower limbs