Using operant conditioning to improve movement control after stroke
Operant Conditioning of Spinal Reflexes and Motor Evoked Potentials
This study is testing a new way to help people who have trouble moving their arms after a stroke by using electrical stimulation and rewards to improve their control and reduce stiffness.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Iowa Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Iowa City, Iowa) |
| Trial ID | NCT03461159 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the use of operant conditioning as a novel approach to enhance rehabilitation for individuals with upper limb movement impairments due to neurological injuries such as stroke or spinal cord injury. By electrically stimulating nerves and rewarding specific muscle responses, the study aims to modify the excitability of neural circuits involved in movement. The goal is to improve motor control and reduce spasticity, potentially benefiting individuals across a spectrum of abilities. The research builds on previous findings that suggest operant conditioning can influence spinal reflexes and motor performance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with upper limb sensorimotor impairments due to subcortical ischemic stroke or incomplete spinal cord injury, as well as healthy individuals with normal upper extremity function.
Not a fit: Patients with self-reported diseases or disorders affecting the upper limbs or those with significant neurological or orthopedic conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance rehabilitation outcomes for patients with upper limb impairments, leading to improved motor function and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While operant conditioning has been applied in animal studies and some human research, this specific application for enhancing motor control in stroke patients is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Group: * Able and willing to provide informed consent * Normal function of both upper extremities * Generally in good health Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Group: * Any self-reported disease or disorder that might affect this study, including neurologic, psychiatric, muscular, orthopedic, cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, hematologic, infectious, immune, gastrointestinal, urogenital, integumentary, oncologic, or endocrine conditions * Any self-reported or demonstrated loss of sensation, passive range of motion, or motor function affecting any part of the upper limb on either side Inclusion Criteria for Stroke Group: * Able and willing to provide informed consent * Subcortical ischemic stroke OR incomplete spinal cord injury, diagnosed by a neurologist at least 3 months before enrollment * Upper limb sensorimotor impairment on one or both sides, as indicated by a score of 10 to 56 out of 66 points on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity * Cognitive ability that is normal or only mildly impaired, as indicated by a score of 9 or less on the Short Blessed Test * Normal receptive and expressive language abilities, as indicated by a score of 0 on the Best Language item of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Exclusion Criteria for Stroke Group: * Any self-reported or medically documented disease or disorder that might affect this study, including other neurologic conditions besides stroke or spinal cord injury, psychiatric, muscular, orthopedic, cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, hematologic, infectious, immune, gastrointestinal, urogenital, integumentary, oncologic, or endocrine conditions * Diagnosis of hemorrhagic stroke or hemorrhagic conversion * Diagnosis of an infarct affecting the motor cortex
Where this trial is running
Iowa City, Iowa
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, Iowa, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stacey L DeJong, PhD, PT — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Stacey L DeJong, PhD, PT
- Email: stacey-dejong@uiowa.edu
- Phone: 319-335-6842
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.