Facilitating Implicit Learning to Improve Neurorehabilitation in Stroke

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cerebral Stroke

In brief

Stroke is one of the leading causes of chronic disability in Veterans. Stroke is associated with significant loss of mobility, increased risk of falling, cardiovascular disease, depression and neuro-cognitive impairment. These deficits negatively impact the independent completion of the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Task-oriented training has emerged as the dominant therapeutic intervention in the rehabilitation of chronic stroke victims. The effectiveness of these interventions may be enhanced through facilitation of implicit knowledge rather than explicit knowledge. Specifically, implicit learning increases retention and improves transfer of the improved motor function outside of the lab environment. Moreover, implicit motor control reduces the burden imposed on cognitive resources as the skill is performed automatically (i.e. do not have to 'think' about it). The amount and type of feedback individuals receive while learning a new task (or relearning in the case of rehabilitation) has been shown to influence the type of learning (i.e. implicit or explicit). Thus the purpose of the current study is to determine the effect of different types of feedback during motor learning on the learning type and the resultant impact on functional outcomes (i.e. motor performance, retention, and cognitive workload) in chronic stroke patients.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02017574

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

24

Starts

2013-10-01

Expected to finish

2016-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2017-03-28

Who can join

Age: 45 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Ischemic stroke greater than 3 months prior.
• Between 45 and 80 years of age.
• Residual hemiparetic upper extremity deficits.
• Adequate language and neurocognitive function to participate in training (MMSE, CESD, aphasia screening).
• Right hand dominant.
• Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer score of 25 or greater.

You may not qualify if…

• History of cortical stroke.
• No mobility of less affected arm.
• Failure to meet the RRDC assessment clinic criteria for medical eligibility.
• MMSE score less than 27.
• CES-D score greater than 16.
• Unable to pass a hearing test (i.e. must be able to hear sounds of 45 dB or less).

Where it is running

• Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD — Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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