Evaluating walking rehabilitation methods for stroke recovery

Is this trial a fit for you?

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 investigates the effects of different rehabilitation interventions on walking ability and quality of life in patients who are 1 to 6 months post-stroke. It focuses on the intensity and specificity of exercise training, comparing high-intensity and low-intensity approaches, both task-specific and non-specific. The goal is to determine how these variables impact long-term mobility outcomes and to address gaps in current rehabilitation practices. By systematically assessing these factors, the study aims to enhance recovery strategies for stroke patients.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Sub-acute stroke (1-6 months)
* Hemiparesis (Fugl-Meyer \<34) without cerebellar deficits
* Ability to ambulate with or without physical assistance over 10 meters but \< 1.0 m/s and assistive devices and below-knee bracing is allowed.
* Ability to sit \> 30 seconds without upper-extremity support or physical assistance
* Ability to follow 3-step commands
* Provision of informed consent and medical clearance from a supervising physician or medical provider to participate
* Must have the ability to consent or have a legal health care power of attorney or legally authorized representative to consent for participation on their behalf

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory disease that limits exercise participation (e.g. previous myocardial infarction \< 3 months prior, uncompensated congestive heart failure, resting blood pressure \> 210/110 mmHg, uncontrolled diabetes, end-stage renal disease, severe infectious or psychiatry disease, or advanced malignancy)
* If during the graded-treadmill exercise evaluation, the participant presents with absolute criteria for termination of exercise testing during initial testing (e.g. moderate to severe angina, ST elevation \> 1.0mm without preexisting Q wave secondary to prior MI, signs of poor perfusion, etc).
* Any orthopedic or neurological disorders that limited walking to \<50m prior to stroke onset.
* Cannot receive physical therapy once baseline testing begins
* If patients are prescribed botulinum toxin for their lower extremities will be excluded only if the dosage for any specific muscle is \>50 units in leg muscles above the knee. If doses are \> than 50 units in leg muscles below the knee, the participant will use an ankle-foot orthosis to minimze contributions of those mscles to locomotor function.

Where it's running

• Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
  Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: George Hornby — Indiana University
• Study coordinator: George Hornby
• Email: tghornby@iu.edu
• Phone: 317-329-2353

Similar studies

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

• Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke

  This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.

  Recruiting The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health · Heidelberg, Victoria and 1 other locations · NCT07019493

• Stem cell therapy for chronic stroke recovery

  This study is testing whether using a patient's own stem cells can help people with long-term stroke recovery feel better and improve their daily functioning.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Hokkaido University Hospital · Sapporo, Hokkaido · NCT06752720

• AI-based tools to help diagnose, treat and predict stroke outcomes across multiple hospitals

  This study tests AI-powered tools on real-world stroke patients to see if they can improve pre-hospital triage, diagnosis, and outcome prediction while data stay securely within each hospital.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · Leuven and 6 other locations · NCT07924371

• Web-based therapy using action observation and mirror therapy for arm weakness after stroke

  This trial tests whether a mobile telerehabilitation app delivering action observation therapy (AOT) alone or combined AOT with mirror therapy (AOT-MT) can improve upper limb function in people with subacute stroke.

  Recruiting Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · Taoyuan · NCT07921108

• Remote Ischaemic Conditioning for Fatigue After Stroke 2

  Aat least 12 weeks after stroke, adults with post-stroke fatigue will try a simple hand-arm cuff treatment at home to see if it helps reduce fatigue.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Sheffield, South Yorkshire · NCT07914647

• Dual-task balance training plus computer-based cognitive training after stroke

  In adults who recently had a stroke, the study tests whether adding computerized cognitive exercises to balance training improves balance and other recovery outcomes.

  Recruiting Matia Foundation · San Sebastián, GUIPUZCOA · NCT07913620

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.