Upper Limb-based Movement Priming for Lower Limb Neuroplasticity & Motor Recovery in Stroke

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Stroke

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to to determine the effect of movement-based priming using the upper limbs on lower limb neuroplasticity and behaviors in chronic stroke. The main questions we aim to answer are: 1. What are the acute effect of UL-priming on lower limb neuroplasticity and motor behaviors in persons with stroke compared to other priming modalities? 2. What are the time effects of UL-priming on neuroplasticity and motor behavior in individuals with stroke? In this cross over study, participants will be involved in three priming sessions involving \- UL-priming using rhythmic, symmetric, bilateral priming involving the movement of at least one major joint in the upper limbs. AND \- Sham priming using auditory stimulation (1 Hz metronome). AND \- Lower-limb movement-based priming using rhythmic, symmetric, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements. Researchers will compare outcome measures between the different priming sessions.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05919043

Run by

University of Illinois at Chicago

People needed

17

Starts

2024-07-01

Expected to finish

2025-06-25

Last updated by the study team

2025-07-02

Who can join

Age: 40 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Single, monohemispheric stroke
• Chronic stroke (> 6 months prior)
• Residual hemiparetic gait deficits (e.g., abnormal gait pattern)
• Minimum score of stage 2 on the Chedoke Arm Impairment Scale which includes stage 2, task 3 (facilitated elbow flexion) as one of the stage 2 tasks.

You may not qualify if…

• Use of anti-spasticity medications
• Existence of other neurological disorders
• Have brainstem or cerebellar lesions.
• Score of ≥2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale.
• MMSE score of <21, to ensure they will follow instructions.
• Non-English-speaking individuals
• Bone, joint or soft tissue injury
• Uncontrolled medical conditions (such as uncontrolled hypertension, untreated cardiac disease, or untreated pulmonary disease)
• No Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) during TMS
• TMS exclusion criteria
• Previous adverse reaction to TMS
• Skull abnormalities or fractures
• Concussion within the prior 6 months
• Unexplained, recurring headaches
• Implanted cardiac pacemaker
• Metal implants in the head or face
• History of seizures or epilepsy
• Use of medications that could alter cortical excitability or increase risk of seizure (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants)
• Current pregnancy

Where it is running

• Brain Plasticity Lab — Chicago, Illinois, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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