How coordination between the legs affects walking after a chronic stroke.
Impaired Interlimb Coordination During Locomotion in Individuals With Chronic Stroke: Contributors and Effect on Walking Function
This project will test whether measuring and briefly stimulating nervous system signals can explain and help improve leg coordination during walking for people more than six months after a stroke.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 25 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT07006818 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will enroll adults with chronic monohemispheric stroke who can walk for at least six minutes and perform detailed gait, biomechanical, and neural measurements. Noninvasive methods including transcranial magnetic stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and direct current stimulation will be used alongside walking tests to identify which neural pathways contribute to impaired interlimb coordination. The team will compare affected and less-affected limb interactions, observe responses to perturbations, and test how brief stimulation changes coordination and walking responses. Results are intended to inform targeted rehabilitation approaches to improve walking stability and function after stroke.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults aged 25–90 with a single (monohemispheric) stroke more than six months ago who can walk for at least six minutes and do not have brainstem or cerebellar lesions or other major neurological disorders.
Not a fit: People with brainstem or cerebellar strokes, other neurological diseases, recent lower-limb botox, significant cognitive or communication impairments, certain implanted devices or seizure risk, pregnancy, or skin hypersensitivity at stimulation sites are unlikely to benefit or may be ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to targeted therapies that improve walking coordination, stability, and mobility after stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies have shown that noninvasive brain and peripheral stimulation can alter gait measures, but using combined approaches to map neural contributors to interlimb coordination is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 25 - 90 years of age * Monohemispheric stroke * Chronic phase (\> 6 months post stroke) * Ability to walk for at least 6 minutes at a self-selected comfortable speed Exclusion Criteria: * Lesions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum * Other neurological disorders * Current botox treatments for the lower limb * Significant cognitive or communication impairment TMS exclusion criteria * Previous adverse reaction to TMS * Skull abnormalities or fractures * Concussion within the prior 6 months * Unexplained, recurring headaches * Implanted cardiac pacemaker * Metal implants in the head or face * History of seizures or epilepsy * Use of medications that could increase risk of seizure * Current pregnancy PNS \& DCS exclusion criteria * Skin hypersensitivity at any sites of stimulation, including the scalp, thoracolumbar spine, and peripheral limbs * History of contact dermatitis at any of the sites of stimulation * History of allodynia and/or hyperalgesia * Active skin infection * Skin lesions * Deep vein thrombosis * Any other skin or scalp condition that could be aggravated by stimulation * Implanted electronic, metallic, or highly conductive devices near site of stimulation that cannot be removed without permission from a health professional
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Brice T Cleland, PhD
- Email: bcleland@uic.edu
- Phone: 3129969056
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.