Combined Aphasia and Robot-Assisted Arm Treatment for Chronic Stroke Survivors

Launched by NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE · May 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is testing a new treatment program that combines language therapy and robot-assisted arm exercises for people who have had a stroke. The main goal is to see if this combined approach can help improve both language skills and arm movement in individuals who have ongoing challenges after their stroke. The researchers will compare the results of this combined treatment with traditional therapy that focuses only on arm movements.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be between 18 and 90 years old, have had a stroke affecting the left side of the brain at least six months ago, and experience difficulties with language and arm movement. They should also be right-handed and speak only English. If someone joins the trial, they can expect to participate in both language and arm therapy sessions, which will be carefully monitored by the research team. This study is not yet recruiting participants, so there will be more information available soon for those who may be interested in joining.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Male or female patients between 18-90 years of age.
• • 2. Right-handed prior to stroke
• • 3. English-speaking (monolingual)
• • 4. History of single left-hemisphere stroke at least 6 months prior to enrollment
• • 5. Presence of aphasia and naming deficits on Western Aphasia Battery (WAB-R)
• • 6. Comprehension score above 4 on WAB-R
• • 7. Unilateral upper limb paresis (Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity score \<56)
• • 8. Documentation of signed Informed Consent by the study participant.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosis or history of speech impairment prior to stroke
• • 2. Severely limited speech output (score below 2 on spontaneous speech portion of WAB-R)
• • 3. Inability to perform screening tasks due to severe language and/or cognitive impairment
• • 4. Condition limiting passive movement in the range of motion required for robotic therapy (e.g. fixed contracture)
• • 5. Any medical or psychiatric condition that may impact participation or compliance with study procedures or activities in the opinion of the investigator