Machines Assisting Recovery From Stroke

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cerebrovascular Disease; Sequelae

In brief

Locomotor disability remains a major obstacle to community function in stroke survivors. This disability is best characterized by the reduced gait speed and enhanced risk of falls that is observed in the majority of stroke survivors. Current robotic systems have focused on repetitive stepping in constrained, less-challenging environments than overground training and have failed to produce results that can justify their use. In contrast to this approach, this study will use a combinatorial approach on a moving platform (KineAssist-Mobility Activity Center) that simulates and enhances the challenges of overground training. We focus on five critical factors that contribute to reduced speed and fall risk during mobility activities: 1) lower limb weakness; 2) slow lower limb movements; 3) reduced balance; 4) reduced ability to respond to challenges during walking; and 5) reduced aerobic capacity. The end product of this study is to develop a comprehensive and standardized system for assessing and prescribing specific training modalities that can be used by clinicians to help stroke survivors who are limited by slow walking speed and high fall risk, and can improve participation in mobility activities.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02787694

Run by

University of Alabama at Birmingham

People needed

22

Starts

2013-06-01

Expected to finish

2017-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2019-04-02

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Community dwelling unilateral stroke survivors, aged 19 years or older, at least 4 months post incident, residual hemiplegia, who are able to ambulate at least 14m with an assistive device or the assistance of one person, with receptive and expressive communication capability, approval of physician, and voluntarily provided informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Significant and acute medical conditions, amputations, spasticity management that included phenol block injections within 12 months or botulinum toxin injections within 4 months of the study, any cognition involvement that impairs the ability to follow directions for, and plans to move out of the area within the next year or no transportation to the study area.

Where it is running

• Locomotor Control Lab — Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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