New sEMG electrode placement for calf muscles after stroke
Validation of New sEMG Electrode Placement Guidelines for the Triceps Surae in Post-stroke Individuals
This project will test whether new electrode placement guidelines give more accurate calf muscle sEMG readings in adults who had a stroke and have calf muscle atrophy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen) |
| Trial ID | NCT07387328 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings of the triceps surae are sensitive to where electrodes are placed, and standard SENIAM landmarks can miss individual muscle variations after stroke. Investigators developed EPICA (Electrode Placement for Individual Calf Anatomy) guidelines that use individual anatomy to guide placement and have been tested in healthy volunteers. In this observational validation, people with hemiparesis after stroke will have electrode positions determined on the affected side using imaging (3D freehand ultrasound) and sEMG recordings during rest and walking when possible to compare EPICA placements with standard locations. All procedures occur at Ghent University Hospital and no experimental treatments are given.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who had a stroke with hemiparesis and calf muscle atrophy, who can lie prone for about 90 minutes and—if doing the walking portion—can walk without shoes (assistive devices allowed), and who have no other neurological or major lower‑limb orthopedic conditions.
Not a fit: People with other neurological or significant orthopedic conditions affecting the legs, prior surgery on the affected lower leg, or severe cognitive impairment preventing consent are unlikely to receive benefit from this validation work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the guidelines could produce more reliable sEMG measurements of calf muscles, improving gait analysis and helping clinicians tailor rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: The EPICA placement guidelines showed promising results in healthy volunteers, but this is one of the first formal validations in people after stroke.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult individuals who have experienced a stroke (CVA or cerebrovascular accident). * Have no other neurological disorder. * Are able to lie in the prone position for approximately one and a half hours. * Are able to walk without shoes for the walking component (only applicable to participants who will perform walking). The use of an assistive device such as a walking stick (or similar) is permitted. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of other neurological or orthopedic conditions that may influence the measurements and results (e.g., Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower limbs, severe ankle osteoarthritis limiting range of motion, etc.). * Having undergone a surgical intervention on the hemiparetic lower leg (e.g., ankle joint arthrodesis, etc.). * Severe cognitive impairments that prevent understanding participation in the study (assessed using the AbilityQ).
Where this trial is running
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen
- Ghent University Hospital — Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Recruiting)
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.