Understanding how stroke affects the perception of verticality over time

Postural Alignment in Post-stroke Participants: Providing New Insights in the Time Course of a Misperception of Verticality and Its Characteristics

Universiteit Antwerpen · NCT05978596

This study looks at how stroke affects people's sense of balance and verticality over time to see how it relates to their recovery and other movement issues.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversiteit Antwerpen (other)
Locations2 sites (Antwerp and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05978596 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the time course of verticality perception in post-stroke participants, focusing on how it interacts with spatial disorders and motor function recovery. Participants will be assessed repeatedly during the subacute phase after a stroke to evaluate their subjective visual, haptic, and postural vertical perceptions, as well as their balance and motor abilities. The study aims to provide insights into the recovery of verticality perception and its association with spatial neglect and lateropulsion, which are common after stroke.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals who have experienced a first-ever, MRI- or CT-confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic supratentorial stroke.

Not a fit: Patients with bilateral lesions, vestibular dysfunction, or other neurological conditions that could interfere with assessments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of post-stroke recovery and improve rehabilitation strategies for patients with spatial perception issues.

How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have indicated deviations in verticality perception among post-stroke patients, this specific longitudinal approach to understanding recovery is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* First-ever, MRI- or CT-confirmed, ischemic or hemorrhagic supratentorial stroke;
* Able to give written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Bilateral lesions;
* Vestibular dysfunction, symptomatic orthostatic hypotension or other pre-existing neurological conditions that could interfere with the assessments;
* Inability to understand and follow basic verbal instructions;
* Hemianopsia or other visual field deficits (glasses or corrective lenses are allowed)

And a group of healthy controls to obtain normative data. These participants are eligible for inclusion if they are between 18 and 90 years old and do not suffer from vestibular dysfunction, symptomatic orthostatic hypotension or other neurological conditions that could interfere with the assessment.

Where this trial is running

Antwerp and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Stroke, Perception of verticality, Spatial neglect, Lateropulsion, Postural control, Subjective Visual Vertical, Subjective Haptic Vertical, Subjective Postural Vertical

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.