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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 and up

Does handedness affect how well the arm recovers after a stroke?

Official title: Impact of Manual Preference on Motor Deficits After Stroke

Run by Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans · NCT07357181 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study checks if being left- or right-handed before a recent stroke influences how smoothly the arm recovers motor skills over six months.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment500 (estimated)
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Orléans)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 2, 2026
Main results expectedOctober 2027
Study endsOctober 2028
Registry record updatedJune 8, 2026
Trial IDNCT07357181 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults 18 years or older with a confirmed unilateral stroke within five days, without pre-stroke upper-limb deficits, who can participate and consent (or have a proxy).

Probably not a fit

Patients with prior strokes affecting motor function or those unable to complete six-month follow-up may not benefit from this analysis.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, single-center observational study enrolling adults with a confirmed unilateral stroke within five days of admission. Baseline upper-extremity motor function is measured with FMA-UE, SAFE, and NIHSS, with handedness recorded after motor assessments when possible. Participants are followed for six months, with repeated motor assessments to compare outcomes by handedness, using propensity score matching to balance age, baseline deficit, lesion side, and stroke type. The primary comparison is FMA-UE at six months between left- and right-handed individuals among those with baseline FMA-UE less than 66. The study blunts assessor bias by delaying handedness assessment until after motor testing when feasible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If handedness is linked to recovery, clinicians could tailor rehabilitation strategies to optimize upper-limb outcomes after stroke.

How similar studies have gone: There is limited prior evidence on handedness influencing post-stroke motor recovery; this study explores a potentially novel association using a rigorous analytic approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Confirmed unilateral recent stroke (less than 5 days).
2. Age 18 years and older.
3. Participant or proxy does not object to participation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior stroke with residual motor sequelae.
2. Pre-stroke upper-limb deficit.
3. Follow-up at 6 months not planned at Orléans.
4. Protected adult (guardianship/curatorship), person under legal protection, or deprived of liberty.
5. Pregnant or breastfeeding woman.

Where it's running

  • CHU Orléans
    Orléans, France     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.