Learning linked items after acquired brain injury
Official title: The Principle of Stimulus Equivalence Learning and Its Neuropsychological Correlates in Adults With Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
Run by Klimmendaal Revalidatiespecialisten · NCT07345481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries to see if people more than three months after a stroke or other acquired brain injury can form linked memories using stimulus equivalence learning tasks.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Klimmendaal Revalidatiespecialisten Research network |
| Locations | 1 site (Arnhem, Gelderland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 29, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 2026 |
| Study ends | July 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07345481 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults at least three months after an acquired brain injury (including stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, encephalitis, or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest) who have sufficient Dutch language ability and no severe sensory, language, or cognitive impairments that prevent test participation.
✕Probably not a fit
People with progressive neurodegenerative disorders, severe aphasia or sensory loss that prevents testing, severe psychiatric conditions, or insufficient Dutch are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational study that measures whether people with acquired brain injury (ABI) can acquire stimulus equivalence learning, an implicit form of learning where untrained relationships between stimuli emerge after training on related pairs. Participants complete tasks in which two relations (A→B and A→C) are taught and the untrained relation (B→C) is tested to detect implicit learning. The study includes ABI patients (stroke, TBI, tumor, encephalitis, OHCA) at least three months post-injury and healthy controls, excluding people with neurodegenerative disease, severe psychiatric illness, severe sensory or language problems, or severe cognitive impairment that prevents testing. Testing is performed in person at Klimmendaal Revalidatiespecialisten in Arnhem in collaboration with the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to preserved implicit learning mechanisms that therapists might use to design new rehabilitation techniques to support memory and communication after ABI.
How similar studies have gone: A few very small case-based reports (often single-patient) have shown positive effects using stimulus equivalence approaches, but larger systematic evidence in ABI is currently lacking.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: ABI patients (\>3 months post-injury), including stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, encephalitis, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Exclusion Criteria: Neurodegenerative disorders Severe psychiatric disorders (including suicidality) Insufficient command of the Dutch language Severe cognitive impairments, aphasia, or visual or hearing problems that make test administration impossible An additional exclusion criterion for controls was any medical condition that could lead to cognitive impairment beyond normal aging, including stroke, TBI, brain tumor, or other forms of brain injury.
Where it's running
-
Klimmendaal Revalidatiespecialisten
Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Edo Grevers, MSc.
- Email: e.grevers@klimmendaal.nl
- Phone: +31620839323
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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.