Functional Neuroimaging and Motor Recovery After Stroke

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Stroke

In brief

The primary goal of this project is to establish whether fMRI measurements of brain connectivity measured before and after interaction with a sensorimotor task can predict subsequent training-induced gains in motor function in a population of individuals with chronic stroke. This study involves individuals with chronic motor impairment resulting from stroke. The procedures include one fMRI session (baseline), followed by twelve training visits (2 or 3 times per week over 4-5 weeks) focused on training motor function of the hand and wrist conducted with a physical therapist. During imaging, participants interact with an MRI-compatible joystick that will cue participants to move their wrist in a controlled way. Before and after the training program, subjects will undergo behavioral testing with a physical therapist to quantify changes in clinical measures of impairment.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07666165

Run by

University of Delaware

People needed

14

Starts

2022-01-25

Expected to finish

2022-12-22

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-24

Who can join

Age: 35 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• age comprised between 35 and 85 years
• diagnosis of a single unilateral subcortical stroke event occurring more than 6 months prior to enrollment resulting in upper extremity paresis (weakness) of one arm,
• presence of residual upper extremity motor function, demonstrated by the ability to actively supinate (rotate hand toward "palm-up" direction) the paretic forearm to neutral and to voluntarily extend (bend wrist toward back of the hand) and radially deviate (bend wrist toward thumb side) the paretic wrist at least 5 degrees,
• adequate cognition to provide informed consent and fully follow instruction (MOCA score of at least 19),
• English-speaking

You may not qualify if…

• more than 1 stroke,
• clinical or radiological evidence of damage to the cerebellum or brainstem,
• contra-indications to MRI (i.e. pacemakers, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, metallic implants, pregnancy, claustrophobia, permanent metal braces, or other implanted devices not approved for 3T imaging - see CBBI MRI Safety Checklist for details),
• weight >400 pounds and/or unable or too uncomfortable to fit the torso into the MRI bore,
• musculoskeletal or other neurologic (non-stroke) conditions directly affecting the paretic wrist or hand function (such as tendinitis, arthritis, hand or wrist orthopaedic surgery in the last 6 months, diagnosis of carpal tunnel, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc.)
• inability to follow instructions on the motor task or understand protocol description (e.g. due to cognitive deficits)
• participation in additional Occupational or Physical Therapy in which they are doing hand/arm exercises while enrolled in this study
• received Botox injections in the past 3 months prior to or during participation in the study

Where it is running

• Center for Biomedical and Brain Imaging — Newark, Delaware, United States
• STAR Health Sciences Complex — Newark, Delaware, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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