How stroke and botulinum toxin affect ankle movement during walking
Official title: Functional implications of stroke and Botulinum Neurotoxin on ankle stiffness and viscosity during gait
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11063970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stroke and botulinum injections affect the stiffness and movement of your ankle, which are important for walking, to help doctors find better ways to support stroke survivors like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $613,741 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111567-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063970 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are stroke survivors experiencing gait impairments, particularly those with ankle stiffness issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or do not have gait impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how stroke and botulinum neurotoxin injections impact ankle stiffness and viscosity, which are crucial for walking. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of the ankle joint that influence mobility after a stroke. By using advanced assessment techniques, the study seeks to uncover internal changes in joint mechanics that traditional evaluations may overlook. This could lead to improved clinical decision-making and tailored interventions for stroke survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients, leading to better mobility and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gait mechanics post-stroke, but this specific approach focusing on internal joint properties is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rouse, Elliott J — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Rouse, Elliott J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
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Teleassessment of gait and balance after stroke to expand remote rehabilitation
A multi-site study tests simple remote gait and balance tests for stroke survivors to enable safer, easier rehabilitation from home.
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MINT conditioning to improve post-stroke walking with a wearable device
A wearable, wireless EMG-based system called MINT helps people who’ve had a stroke re-train leg muscles to walk more easily, especially at home.
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How stroke and Botox affect ankle stiffness during walking
This project looks at how stroke and Botox (Botulinum Neurotoxin) change ankle stiffness and resistance during walking in people with gait problems.
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Characterization of how stroke affects both ankles during standing and walking
This grant studies how stroke changes ankle movement in both legs during standing and walking to help improve posture and gait for stroke survivors.
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Immersive VR Overground Gait Rehab for Stroke Survivors
A study tests an immersive virtual reality program to help stroke survivors practice walking in real-world-like settings.
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.