EMG-guided NICE rehabilitation to retrain coordinated arm muscles after stroke
Neuro-Intermuscular Coordination Enhancement (NICE) Rehabilitation
This will test whether an EMG-guided human–machine program called NICE helps people with chronic hemiparetic stroke relearn coordinated arm muscle use compared with force-guided exercise.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Houston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07531264 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will enroll 38 people with chronic stroke and randomize them to neuromuscular-coordination guided exercise (NICE) or a force-guided control program. The NICE program uses surface EMG signals and a human–machine interface to visually guide participants to activate groups of synergistic muscles. Outcomes include changes in muscle coordination, standardized clinical motor scores, movement kinetics, and EEG measures collected before and after the intervention. The study excludes people with major cognitive impairment, recent botulinum toxin to the affected arm, significant orthopedic upper-limb disorders, or other neurologic diseases.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 21–80 with an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least 6 months earlier, measurable upper-extremity impairment, MAS ≤ 3 around elbow and shoulder, and able to consent and follow instructions.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairment, other neurologic disorders, severe upper-limb orthopedic problems, recent botulinum toxin to the impaired arm, or complete loss of joint position sense are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve coordinated arm function and daily-use ability for people with chronic hemiparetic stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies of EMG-biofeedback and neuromuscular-guided rehab have shown promising early signals for improving motor control, but larger confirmatory trials remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke * Aged between 21 and 80 years * Not receiving botulinum toxin on the impaired arm within 3 months * MAS ≤ 3 around elbow and shoulder Exclusion Criteria: * have an orthopedic disorder involving upper limbs; * cognitive impairment sufficient to interfere with informed consent or successful completion of the protocol (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score =\< 26); * a history of another neurologic disease; * anesthesia of joint position sense in upper limbs; * are pregnant or have a chance that they might be (self-reported);
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- University of Houston — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jinsook Roh, PhD — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Jinsook Roh, PhD
- Email: jroh@Central.UH.EDU
- Phone: 7137432578
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.