Stimulating Postural Control to Augment Rehabilitation After Cerebral Stroke (SPARC): a Pilot Trial

Launched by UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK, TORONTO · May 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The SPARC trial is a research study looking into ways to help people who have had a stroke improve their balance and reduce the risk of falling. After a stroke, many individuals become more mobile, but unfortunately, this also increases their chances of falling. The study is exploring whether using electrical stimulation combined with balance training can help with this problem. The main goal is to see if enough people are interested in joining a larger study and if they are comfortable with the procedures involved.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be at least 18 years old and have had a specific type of stroke more than a year ago. They should be living at home and able to stand independently for at least 60 seconds. Participants will not be accepted if they have other conditions that affect balance or certain medical issues that could interfere with the study's procedures. Those who join can expect to engage in exercises and receive electrical stimulation to help improve their balance, with the hope that this will lead to better recovery and fewer falls after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 18 years or greater
• • Diagnosed with a middle cerebral artery stroke \>1 year ago
• • Community-dwelling (i.e. not living in long-term care or other inpatient setting)
• • Able to stand independently for 60 seconds
• • Able to understand spoken English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any condition other than stroke that significantly affects their postural control (e.g. vestibular disorder, vision loss)
• • A prior lower extremity fragility fracture
• • A planned injection of botulinum toxin to the legs during the intervention period
• • Peripheral nerve damage in the legs
• • Contraindications for FES (i.e. implanted electronic device, active cancer or radiation in past six months, uncontrolled epilepsy, skin rash/wound at an electrode site, pregnancy, active deep vein thrombosis)
• • Contraindications for TMS (i.e. seizures, metal in the head)
• • Previous participation in FES or tSCS within the past 2 years (May affect blinding integrity. Likely uncommon; FES is rarely used in Canada post-stroke.)