Improving hand function in stroke survivors with muscle activation techniques
Official title: Strengthening task specific activation of paretic hand muscles after moderateto- severe chronic stroke
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11172028 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special techniques can help people who have had a moderate-to-severe stroke improve their hand use, making it easier for them to do everyday tasks and regain their independence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,453 |
| NIH project number | 7R21HD108462-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172028 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals who have suffered a moderate-to-severe stroke and have persistent hand impairments affecting their daily tasks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have fully recovered hand function or those with other severe medical conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the use of the hand in individuals who have experienced a moderate-to-severe stroke and continue to have significant impairments. The study will explore the use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) combined with non-invasive neuromodulation techniques to promote better muscle activation and improve hand function. By engaging patients in task-specific practice, the research aims to strengthen the connections between the brain and hand muscles, ultimately helping patients regain independence in daily activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve hand function and quality of life for stroke survivors.
How similar studies have gone: While some studies have explored similar neuromodulation techniques, the effectiveness of these combined approaches remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sethi, Amit — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Sethi, Amit
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Movement After Stroke
A new non-invasive technique called kilohertz Transcranial Magnetic Perturbation (kTMP) is being tested to improve arm movement in people who have chronic stroke.
-
Instrumented brain organoids for chronic stroke repair
A study exploring how tiny, living brain tissue 3D «organoids» attached to flexible, safer electrodes could help restore brain function after a stroke.
-
Multisensory support to improve standing balance after stroke
This project uses extra sensory feedback to help people with long-term stroke improve their standing balance.
-
Biomarkers to predict who benefits from high‑intensity aerobic training after chronic stroke
This project looks at blood and brain signals to figure out who with long‑term leg weakness after stroke will get better with high‑intensity aerobic training.
-
Understanding balance control while walking in people with chronic stroke
This study looks at how people who have had a stroke keep their balance while walking in tricky situations, and it aims to find ways to help them improve their walking and balance during recovery.
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Training to improve balance and reduce falls in people after a stroke
This study is all about helping people who have had a stroke improve their balance and lower their chances of falling by trying out new training methods that focus on specific balance issues.
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.