Better Electrical Stimulation for Walking After Stroke
Innovative closed-loop functional electrical stimulation control system for augmenting post-stroke gait
This project is developing a smarter electrical stimulation device to help people walk more easily after a stroke, especially those who experience footdrop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159730 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a common therapy that uses gentle electrical pulses to help muscles work better, especially for people recovering from conditions like stroke. While current FES devices can help with walking, they often cause muscle fatigue and don't automatically adjust the stimulation as you move. This project aims to create a new FES system that can sense muscle fatigue and automatically change the stimulation intensity, making the therapy more effective and comfortable. Our goal is to overcome these limitations to provide a more personalized and beneficial walking aid.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future applications of this technology would be individuals who have experienced a stroke and have difficulty lifting their foot while walking, a condition known as footdrop.
Not a fit: Patients without post-stroke footdrop or other neurological conditions affecting muscle function in a similar way may not directly benefit from this specific technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this improved FES system could make walking easier and reduce falls for stroke survivors by preventing muscle fatigue and providing more responsive support.
How similar studies have performed: Commercial FES systems for footdrop are already available and have shown promise, but this project introduces novel closed-loop control to address their current limitations.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kesar, Trisha — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kesar, Trisha
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.