Comparing reactive balance training with and without electrical stimulation for stroke recovery
Official title: NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation to Facilitate Perturbation-based REACtive Balance Training for Fall Risk Reduction Post-stroke: The REACTplusNMES Trial
Run by University of Illinois Chicago · NCT06127602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether adding electrical stimulation to balance training can help people who have had a stroke improve their balance better than training without it.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 46 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | March 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06127602 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18-90 with chronic hemiparesis resulting from a stroke that occurred more than six months prior.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe spasticity, significant cardiovascular issues, or those who cannot comply with the training regimen may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week reactive balance training program, both with and without the addition of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on individuals with chronic stroke. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving NMES or the control group without it. The study will assess various outcomes related to balance control, including biomechanical, clinical, neuromuscular, and neuroplastic factors. Pre-training assessments will involve simulated postural disturbances to gauge baseline balance capabilities before the training sessions commence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance balance control and reduce fall risk in individuals recovering from stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with perturbation-based training in stroke rehabilitation, but this specific combination of reactive balance training and NMES is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age group: 18-90 years. * Presence of hemiparesis. * Onset of stroke (\> 6 months). * Ability to walk at least for 2 minutes on the treadmill with or without ankle foot orthosis. * Can understand and communicate in English. * Cognitively and behaviorally capable of complying with the regimen (Mini-Mental State Examination \> 25/30). * No history or recent use (i.e., past 6 weeks) of any Neuromuscular electrical stimulation device to leg muscles during walking (e.g., Bioness, Walkaide). Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects will not proceed with the test if any of the following occurs at baseline measurement: 1) HR \> 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax) (HRmax = 220 - age), 2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) \> 165 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \> 110 mmHg during rest, or 3) oxygen saturation (measured by pulse oximeter) \< 95% during rest. * Body weight of more than 250 lbs. * Spasticity (Ashworth scale \> 2). * Loss of protective sensations on the paretic leg (indicated by inability to perceive the 5.07/10 g on Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament) or inability to feel the NMES. * Severe osteoporosis (indicated by T score \< -2) * Cognitive impairment (indicated by Mini-Mental State Exam score\<25) * Global Aphasia (indicated by \<71% on the Mississippi Aphasia Screening Test). * Subjects with Chedoke McMaster Leg Assessment Scale score (\> 4).
Where it's running
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tanvi Bhatt — University of Illinois Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rudri Purohit, MS
- Email: rpuroh2@uic.edu
- Phone: 312-413-9772
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Emergency Stroke Unit for treating acute strokes
This study is testing a new Emergency Stroke Unit that uses a mobile MRI to see if it can help treat stroke patients faster and improve their recovery.
-
Using the Atalante exoskeleton to help stroke patients walk again
This study is testing if using the Atalante exoskeleton can help stroke patients walk better compared to regular therapy.
-
Understanding how vision loss affects driving in virtual reality
This study tests how vision loss from a stroke affects driving skills in a virtual reality setting to help understand the challenges faced by people with visual field defects.
-
Evaluating C7 Nerve Transfer for Stroke Recovery
This study is testing if a surgery that connects a healthy part of the brain to the arm can help people who haven't improved their arm function after a stroke for 1-5 years.
-
Early rehabilitation using EEG neurofeedback for stroke recovery
This study tests if using brainwave feedback along with regular rehab can help stroke patients recover better use of their arms.
-
Longitudinal study on stroke recovery and biomarkers
This study looks at how stroke survivors recover over time by tracking their brain and thinking skills along with changes in their blood to see what helps them get better.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.