Using brain stimulation and electrical stimulation to help people with severe arm weakness
Official title: Contralaterally Controlled FES Combined with Brain Stimulation for Severe Upper limb Hemiplegia
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10848420 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new therapy that helps people with severe arm weakness after a stroke use their affected hand by controlling it with their other hand, and it also looks at how adding brain stimulation can make this therapy even better for improving everyday activities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $509,713 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD098073-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10848420 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with severe upper limb hemiplegia who have minimal or no voluntary movement in their affected arm.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact motor function in their upper limbs or those who do not have hemiplegia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel therapy called contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) designed for patients with severe upper limb hemiplegia, who have little to no movement in their affected arm. The therapy uses electrical stimulation to help open the paretic hand, controlled by the patient's unaffected hand through a special glove with sensors. This allows patients to practice functional tasks with their affected arm, even if they cannot move it voluntarily. The study aims to enhance the effectiveness of CCFES by combining it with brain stimulation techniques to further improve motor function and daily living activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the ability of patients with severe arm weakness to perform daily activities and enhance their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches using electrical stimulation can be effective, but this specific combination of techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plow, Ela B — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Plow, Ela B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
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.
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Understanding ATP1A3-related illness using worm models to find new therapy targets
Researchers are studying how faulty ATP1A3 genes cause Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood and are using tiny worm models to find genes that could be targeted to treat the condition.
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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.
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Combining gentle brain stimulation with patient-controlled electrical hand therapy after stroke
This project combines mild brain stimulation with a patient-controlled electrical therapy to help people with hand weakness after stroke regain better hand movement.
-
Neck-level spinal stimulation to improve arm and hand movement after stroke
This project uses mild electrical stimulation of the neck-level spinal cord to help people with long-term arm or hand weakness after a stroke.
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.