Improving recovery for stroke survivors with severe paralysis
Official title: Facilitating neuroplastic changes of acute stroke survivors with severe hemiplegia
Funded at Rehabtek, LLC · NIH-10577199 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new wearable robot designed to help stroke survivors with severe arm and leg weakness recover better while they are still in bed, by providing important training to improve their movement and brain function early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rehabtek, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Linthicum Heights, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 1U44NS125158-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10577199 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have recently experienced a stroke and exhibit severe hemiplegia with no voluntary motor output.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those with mild hemiparesis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing recovery for stroke survivors who experience severe hemiplegia, a condition characterized by significant loss of motor control. The project aims to develop a novel wearable rehabilitation robot that can be used during the critical early stages of recovery while patients are still in bed. By providing timely motor-sensory training, the research seeks to facilitate neuroplastic changes that can lead to improved functional outcomes. The approach emphasizes early and intensive sensorimotor rehabilitation to maximize recovery potential.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mobility and functional independence for stroke survivors with severe hemiplegia.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in rehabilitation devices for stroke recovery, this specific approach targeting early in-bed rehabilitation for patients with severe paralysis is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rehabtek, LLC
Linthicum Heights, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ren, Yupeng — Rehabtek, LLC
- Study coordinator: Ren, Yupeng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
In-bed wearable rehab robot to help stroke survivors recover movement
A wearable robotic device will be developed to help adults who recently had an acute stroke regain movement while still in the hospital.
-
Helping brain recovery for people with severe paralysis after a recent stroke
This project builds a wearable in-bed robot to give gentle movement and sensory training to adults with severe weakness right after a stroke.
-
When people are most at risk of another stroke after a minor stroke or TIA
Researchers are combining past trial data to find the timing of highest risk for a second stroke after a minor stroke or TIA so treatments can be better timed.
-
Spinal cord stimulation to help arm and hand movement after stroke
A new cervical spinal cord stimulation approach is tested to improve arm and hand function in people living with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis.
-
Improving Participation after Stroke: Self-Management Rehab for Sub-Acute Stroke
A doctor- and patient-friendly program delivered virtually helps people who recently had a stroke feel more confident, stay active at home, and improve quality of life.
-
Targeting a brain inflammation regulator to protect cells after a stroke
Aims to test a new approach that tampers with a key brain cell regulator to reduce inflammation and protect brain tissue after a stroke, potentially lowering disability.
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.