Improving walking after stroke with MINT therapy
MINT conditioning to improve post-stroke gait
This project is developing a new home-based therapy called MINT to help stroke survivors improve their walking by retraining leg muscles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143624 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many stroke survivors experience difficulty walking due to abnormal muscle movements in their legs. This research aims to develop a user-friendly, wearable device for home use that helps retrain these leg muscles. The MINT therapy works by reducing abnormal muscle co-activation, which is a common issue after stroke. Researchers will test if this therapy can improve walking speed and movement in people who have had a stroke, and also understand how it works in the body. The ultimate goal is to make this therapy widely available to help more people regain their mobility.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be individuals who have experienced a stroke and continue to have difficulties with leg movement and walking.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced a stroke or do not have impaired leg movement would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve walking ability and quality of life for stroke survivors by providing an effective, home-based rehabilitation option.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work and preliminary results have shown that MINT conditioning can improve arm movement in chronic stroke survivors, and early versions of the device were well-received.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slutzky, Marc W. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Slutzky, Marc W.
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.