Mobility and motivation after stroke: how apathy affects walking and daily movement
Official title: Examining mobility restrictions through the lens of post-stroke apathy
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11369044 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how post-stroke apathy might limit daily mobility and walking, beyond just physical impairments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $615,848 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD115526-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369044 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have experienced a stroke and show mobility challenges, with varying levels of apathy.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of stroke or those with mobility issues not related to stroke may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why people who have had a stroke may not move as much as they could, even when their physical ability is similar to others. It uses wearable sensors to track movement and examines how motivation and reward processing may influence daily activity after stroke. The researchers want to connect brain signals related to reward with real-world walking and mobility patterns. They will also study how apathy could contribute to reduced effort for mobility in everyday life. The goal is to identify factors beyond motor impairment that limit mobility so rehabilitation can target them.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, insights could lead to more effective rehabilitation strategies that address motivation and brain reward systems to improve daily mobility after stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests apathy is common after stroke and may relate to motivation and recovery, but direct links to real-world mobility are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leech, Kristan a. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Leech, Kristan a.
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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.