MINT Conditioning to Improve Gait

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 study tests a myoelectric interface for neurorehabilitation (MINT) conditioning to improve walking in adults who have stroke-related leg impairment for at least six months. Participants perform a game-like training that provides real-time muscle feedback to help retrain leg movement and reduce gait asymmetry. The approach uses one muscle myoelectric feedback during conditioning sessions and is conducted at Northwestern University and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Enrollment targets adults with moderate to severe gait impairment and requires the ability to stand independently and follow task instructions. Exclusion criteria include cognitive or visual impairments that would interfere with task performance, as well as recent participation in other leg-focused studies or pharmacological trials.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age at enrollment is 18 to 85
* Leg impairment from unilateral stroke at least 6 months prior to screening
* Severe to moderate gait impairment (ambulatory with a maximum walking speed of 0.8 m/s, i.e., half of normal speed)
* Able to stand without assistance
* Clinically observable gait asymmetry
* Abnormal co-activation between adductor magnus and rectus femoris (R greater than or equal to 0.5)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairment with at least moderately impaired attention on digit-span test, or unable to follow instructions of the MINT task
* Visual impairment (such as hemianopia) preventing sufficient perception of the screen to play the games
* Anesthesia or severe neglect in the affected leg, or visual hemineglect (score of 2 on the NIH Stroke Scale Extinction and Inattention subtest) that impairs ability to play the games
* Participation in another study on the affected leg, or any pharmacological study, within 6 weeks of enrollment
* Inability to understand or follow commands in English due to aphasia or other reason that makes it impossible to perform the training
* Diffuse or multifocal infarcts
* Substantial leg or other pain preventing participation for 60 minutes a day
* Spasticity treatment (pharmacological or Botox) on the affected leg within past 3 months
* Severe osteoporosis causing hip or other fractures
* History of multiple falls within the last year, use of walker for balance, or falling during stance while in the lab in the first session.
* Contracture limiting the range of motion of the leg
* Current pregnancy
* From the TMS portion of the study only: History of epilepsy in adulthood requiring antiseizure medications; recent/current alcoholism or benzodiazepine/barbiturate abuse or recent history of alcohol/benzodiazepine/barbiturate withdrawal, recent history of cocaine or amphetamine use, skull fractures or skull deficits, concussion within the last 6 months, unexplained recurring headaches, vagus nerve stimulator, cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator, intracranial/carotid stents, cardiac pacemaker/AICD.

Where it's running

• Northwestern University
  Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  Dallas, Texas, United States Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Marc Slutzky, MD, PhD — Northwestern University
• Study coordinator: Marc Slutzky, MD, PhD
• Email: mslutzky@northwestern.edu
• Phone: 312-503-4653

Similar studies

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

• VNS with Rehab to Improve Gait After Stroke

  This study tests whether adding vagus nerve stimulation to gait rehabilitation helps stroke survivors improve walking.

  Recruiting State University of New York at Buffalo · Buffalo, New York · NCT07643337

• Split-belt treadmill dosing for early stroke recovery

  This program will test how much split-belt treadmill walking with virtual reality people in the first three months after a stroke can safely tolerate.

  Recruiting Phase 1 University of Calgary · Calgary, Alberta · NCT07469163

• Robotic balance training with brain stimulation to improve balance after stroke

  This program tests whether adding noninvasive brain stimulation to robotic balance training helps people with chronic stroke who still have balance and walking problems.

  Recruiting Kessler Foundation · West Orange, New Jersey · NCT07113041

• Robotic-assisted walking therapy for people in the subacute phase of stroke

  This trial will test whether adding robotic-assisted gait training to regular physical therapy helps people 1 to 3 months after a stroke improve their walking and daily function.

  Recruiting Changhua Christian Hospital · Changhua, Taiwan · NCT07040215

• 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

• Personalized exercise program to improve walking in stroke patients

  This study tests if a personalized exercise program can help stroke patients improve their walking and balance better than a standard exercise routine.

  Recruiting The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Hksar · NCT06878677

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.