Improving walking after a stroke using a wearable device
Official title: MINT conditioning to improve post-stroke gait
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10820784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun new way to help stroke survivors walk better by using special sensors and games at home to improve how their leg muscles work together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $689,536 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD113270-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10820784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are chronic stroke survivors experiencing impaired leg movement and abnormal gait.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those with other unrelated mobility issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the ability of stroke survivors to walk by addressing abnormal muscle activation in the legs. The team has developed a Myoelectric Interface for Neurorehabilitation (MINT) that uses wireless sensors and engaging games to provide home-based therapy. By reducing co-activation of leg muscles, the goal is to improve gait and walking speed in chronic stroke survivors. The study will also explore the underlying mechanisms of how this conditioning works.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mobility and quality of life for stroke survivors by enhancing their walking ability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches in improving arm movement after stroke, indicating potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
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Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slutzky, Marc W. — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Slutzky, Marc W.
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.