Comparing muscle coordination in healthy individuals and chronic stroke survivors

A Wearable for Post-stroke Rehabilitative Multi-muscle Stimulation Inspired by the Natural Organization of Neuromuscular Control

This study is testing whether a special training program using electrical stimulation can help stroke survivors improve their walking by comparing their muscle coordination to healthy individuals.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Hong Kong)
• Trial ID: NCT04155866 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the differences in muscle synergies between healthy participants and chronic stroke survivors to enhance gait rehabilitation. Participants will first define normal muscle synergies through assessments of age-matched healthy controls. Following this, chronic stroke survivors will undergo a series of 18 sessions of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) training, designed to restore natural muscle coordination patterns during walking. The study seeks to leverage advanced FES technology to improve mobility and quality of life for stroke survivors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include right-handed chronic stroke survivors aged 40 and above who are at least six months post-stroke and can walk for 15 minutes.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments, cardiac pacemakers, or significant skin lesions at electrode sites may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance gait rehabilitation outcomes for chronic stroke survivors.

How similar studies have performed: While previous FES studies have shown mixed results, this study's novel multi-muscle approach may offer new insights into effective rehabilitation strategies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For chronic stroke survivors:

1. Right-handed elderly chronic stroke survivors; age ≥40; ≥6 months post-stroke
2. Unilateral ischemic brain lesions
3. Participants should be able to walk continuously for ≥15 min. with or without assistive aid

For healthy participants:

1. Healthy, right-handed subjects, age ≥40, free from any history of major neurological, musculoskeletal, and psychiatric disorders
2. Able to walk continuously for ≥20 min. without fatigue.

Exclusion Criteria:

For both healthy participants and chronic stroke survivors:

1. Cannot comprehend and follow instructions, or with a score \<21 on the mini-mental state exam;
2. Have cardiac pacemaker;
3. Have skin lesions at the locations where FES or EMG electrodes may be attached;
4. Have major depression;
5. Present with severe neglect

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Vincent Chi Kwan Cheung, PhD

Conditions Healthy