Asymmetrical Gait Training After Pediatric Stroke

Completed · Early Phase 1

Conditions studied: Stroke, Hemiplegia

In brief

The purposes of this pilot research study are 1. To begin to test if two different types of physical therapy might have different results in children and adolescents who have had a prior stroke, and 2. To determine if either type of physical therapy causes changes in the brain signals that control leg muscles. All participants will receive physical therapy 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Half of the participants will receive typical physical therapy, such as walking practice, muscle strengthening, and balance training. Half of the participants will receive asymmetrical gait training physical therapy, which uses new technology to train each leg differently during walking practice. After enrolling, participants will be randomly assigned to the type of therapy. Measurements will be taken before, during, and after the 8 weeks of physical therapy. These include walking tests to measure symmetry, walking speed and daily step activity, and brain tests to measure the strength of the signals from the brain to the leg muscles. One blood test is also taken to identify if certain genetic factors affect how each child responds to the physical therapy.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01827436

Run by

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

People needed

9

Starts

2013-04-01

Expected to finish

2016-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2018-01-05

Who can join

Age: 5 and older, up to 17. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Between 5-17 years of age
• History of unilateral supratentorial arterial ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
• Onset of stroke at least 6 months before study enrollment
• Ability to walk at least 20 feet without the use of an assistive device
• At least a 5 second difference in single leg stance time between left and right sides
• The ability to return to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for the proposed training and testing sessions
• Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate, child assent

You may not qualify if…

• Intracranial metallic or magnetic object or implanted electrical pacing device
• Treatment with botulinum toxin injections to the more affected ankle plantarflexors in the past 3 months
• Cognitive impairment that would prevent completion of the required training and testing activities
• Parents/guardians or participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not adhere with study schedules or procedures

Where it is running

• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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