Improving STEP in Stroke Patients

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Stroke, Hemiplegia Following Ischemic Stroke, Disability Physical, Spasticity as Sequela of Stroke, Gluteus Maximus Muscle Atrophy, Equinovarus Foot

In brief

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults. Stroke causes death in 10% of patients, disability and functional handicap in 60% of cases. Sequelea of hemiplegia include spasticity resulting in great difficulty and slowness in walking, gait instability, increasing the risk of falls. Deambulation may need help (cane, crutch, tripod cane, walker). Lower limb spasticity includes hypertonia of extensors (gluteus maximus, quadriceps, posterior gastrocnemius) resulting in equinovarus. A neurology deficit may be present on ipsilateral lower limb flexors. Hence the patient walks with rubbing of the tip of the foot (tip-toeing gait), resulting in a "mowing wheatslike" movement of the leg as described in the French literature. Walking is then slowed down, unstable, with increased risk of falls. In post stroke, during the period of rehabilitation and beyond, it is advisable to wear sports shoes although custom-made shoes improve walking and are reimbursed by the French social security system after prior agreement. Most of patients only wear conventional shoes.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07403149

Run by

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

People needed

58

Starts

2026-03-01

Expected to finish

2026-04-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-11

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged over 18 years
• With health insurance card " carte vitale " (being affiliated to the French security system) on "ALD" (Affection de longue durée) meaning reimbursement at a 100% rate
• With a past history of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) with a Rankin score 2 to 4, once stabilized (no more improvement), at least 6 months after stroke onset
• Spasticity on one side of the body, with spastic walking, with tip-toeing gait, resulting in a "mowing wheats-like" movement of the leg as described in the French literature
• Patient had full medical examination prior to this research
• Informed and written consent of the participant.

You may not qualify if…

• Impossible to walk (wheel chair or bedridden)
• Diabetic foot
• Unhealed and/or painful foot injury
• Acquired deformity of a foot (osteophytosis, parrot beak on metatarso-phalangeal joint of the first ray, a bunion or hallux valgus, or hallux rigidus or stiffness of the big toe)
• Intercurrent disease that may interfere with the evaluation of the primary outcome (Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, Little's disease, significant hip or knee injury)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.