Ultrasound-guided needle nerve stimulation to improve walking after stroke

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 interventional study compares standard physiotherapy alone versus physiotherapy plus ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM) targeted to the sciatic and common peroneal nerves. About 30 adults at least three months after stroke who can walk independently for short distances will be enrolled and receive usual rehabilitation while the experimental group also receives needle-based nerve stimulation under ultrasound. Stimulation sessions use a fine needle placed near the nerve with brief electrical pulses (e.g., 10 Hz for short trains) alongside conventional strength, mobility, and balance exercises. Outcomes include walking speed, lower-limb strength, spasticity, balance, functional mobility, and health-related quality of life over the treatment period.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be between 18 and 70 years of age;
2. Have suffered a stroke (CVA);
3. Be in the subacute or chronic phase of the disease;
4. Be able to walk 10 meters without assistance from another person;
5. Currently be undergoing physiotherapy with conservative techniques;
6. Be able to understand the technique being applied;
7. Sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Belonephobia (fear of needles);
2. Allergy to needles or metals;
3. Presence of uncontrolled coagulopathies;
4. Presence of uncontrolled arterial disease;
5. Pregnancy;
6. Dermatological disorders;
7. Presence of diseases such as systemic inflammatory disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or septic arthritis);
8. Presence of diseases such as tumors, cancer, or metastases;
9. Having received invasive physiotherapy treatment in the last 4 weeks.

Where it's running

• Universidad de Zaragoza
  Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Alejandro Martín García
• Email: alejandro140martin@gmail.com
• Phone: +34655856799

Similar studies

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

• Informational Needs of Caregivers of Patients in Neuro Rehab: Validating the QBI-R/V

  This study tests a caregiver questionnaire (QBI-R and QBI-V) to see how well it measures caregivers’ informational needs during neuromotor rehabilitation.

  Recruiting at 13 sites Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA · Sciacca, Agrigento and 12 other locations · NCT07903298

• Music therapy after stroke

  This trial tests whether adding music therapy to standard care helps stroke patients sleep better and feel less anxious or depressed while in the hospital.

  Recruiting Universidad de Granada · Granada, Granada · NCT07899034

• ZEPU AI9 lower-limb exoskeleton gait training for walking difficulties

  This study tests whether the ZEPU AI9 exoskeleton can be safely and effectively added to standard rehabilitation to improve walking for adults with stroke, incomplete spinal cord injury, or gait problems after orthopedic surgery.

  Recruiting Bangladesh Medical University · Dhaka · NCT07750808

• Balance and gait in multiple sclerosis: linking motion data to function

  Researchers will see if precise motion measurements of balance and walking relate to everyday functional tests in adults with MS.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Patras · Ioannina and 1 other locations · NCT07630311

• TWIICE Rise exoskeleton for assisted walking after spinal cord injury

  This will test two versions of the TWIICE Rise wearable exoskeleton in adults with spinal cord injury to see if they can safely practice walking in clinic, at home, and in the community.

  Recruiting Twiice · Nottwil, Canton of Lucerne · NCT07461259

• Non-invasive spinal stimulation combined with gait training to improve walking after incomplete spinal cord injury

  This tests whether adding non-invasive spinal cord stimulation to gait training helps adults with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury walk better and have less spasticity.

  Recruiting Institut Guttmann · Badalona, Barcelona · NCT07289191

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.