Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Structured Foot-Ankle Sensorimotor Training in Stroke Patients

Launched by MEDIPOL UNIVERSITY · Jul 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new type of rehabilitation for people who have had a stroke and are experiencing problems with their foot and ankle movement, balance, and walking. The treatment uses a special robot combined with virtual reality technology to help improve muscle strength, joint movement, sensation, and coordination in the foot and ankle. The training includes five parts that focus on feeling the foot correctly, moving the ankle with support, and using the senses and thinking skills together to improve walking and balance. The goal is to help stroke survivors regain better control of their ankle muscles, improve walking ability, reduce the risk of falls, and enhance overall quality of life.

People who might be eligible for this study are adults aged 40 to 65 who had a stroke at least six months ago and have completed regular physical therapy. Participants need to be able to walk at least 10 meters, understand and follow instructions, and have mild muscle stiffness in their ankle. Those with serious memory problems, other health issues affecting walking, or severe ankle pain or stiffness won’t be able to join. If accepted, participants will take part in the robot-assisted training sessions, which use vibrating sensations and virtual reality to guide foot and ankle movements in a safe, controlled way. This study aims to find out if this high-tech training can offer better recovery options for stroke survivors.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 40 and 65 years,
• • Ability to understand and follow study instructions,
• • Ability to demonstrate coherent speech and spatial-temporal orientation skills, signed informed consent form,
• • ≤ 2 ankle plantar flexor spasticity according to the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS),
• • Completion of all conventional physical therapy,
• • Having had a stroke at least 6 months ago (individuals with chronic stroke),
• • Ability to walk at least 10 m with or without any assistive device.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score ≤ 24),
• • Having pathologies affecting walking or balance (orthopedic complications, lower extremity amputation, osteoporosis, etc.),
• • Uncontrolled conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, debilitating or immunosuppressive diseases),
• • İmpairments affecting participants' ability to understand instructions,
• • İnsufficient visual acuity to see a screen,
• • Fixed or painful contractures of the paretic ankle.