Wearable sensors and a smartphone app to help you use your affected arm at home.

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

Participants with chronic stroke and residual upper-limb motor impairment wear bilateral wrist and index-finger sensors and use a custom smartphone app. The study uses an A (baseline) – B (intervention) design so each person serves as their own control, with one week of baseline monitoring followed by three weeks of active app use that provides visualized activity feedback, reminders, goal tracking, and activity annotations. Researchers compare sensor-derived limb use metrics from the baseline and intervention periods to see if the visual feedback increases everyday use of the affected arm. Enrollment targets adults 18–80 who can perform minimal wrist and finger extension and are regular smartphone users.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Stroke survivor (ischemic or hemorrhagic), \>12 months post stroke, at the time of consent
* Aged between 18 and 80
* Ability to extend ≥ 10° at the metacarpophalangeal joint and one of the interphalangeal joints of each finger, ≥ 10° extension or abduction of the thumb, and ≥ 20° extension of the wrist from a fully flexed starting position.
* Demonstrating more affected arm nonuse, defined as a MAL-AoU score of \</= 4.5.
* Actively uses at least one smartphone app.
* Strong beliefs towards being in control of their recovery, indicated by a score of ≤ 10 points on the Internal Recovery Locus of Control (I-RLOC) Scale.
* Participants must be able to read, write, and understand English at a level sufficient to comprehend study materials and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairments that may affect the ability to understand and follow instructions (score \< 24 in the Mini Mental State Examination)
* Difficulties comprehending numbers, dyslexia, severe aphasia, or other neurological conditions that prohibit the use of smartphones for safety reasons.
* Undergoing other types of motor therapy during the study period.
* Previous participation in constraint-induced movement therapy.
* Currently participating in or has participated in the past 3 months in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies.
* Use of botulinum toxin for motor disability ≤ 3 months before treatment.
* Significant changes in pharmacological or treatment plans during the study period that may affect upper-limb use.
* Major medical problems that could interfere with participation.
* History of a disabling stroke (i.e., need more than minimum assistance to perform ADLs).
* Legally blind status.
* Uncontrolled seizures.
* Inability to don/doff sensors independently or with the assistance of a caregiver.
* Implantable medical devices that do not comply with the ISO 14117:2012 and/or ANSI/AAMI PC69 standards for electromagnetic compatibility. Subjects will be asked to provide their medical device record card, and non-compliant devices will result in exclusion from the study.

Where it's running

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Motion Analysis Laboratory
  Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Paolo Bonato, PhD — Director of Motion Analysis Laboratory
• Study coordinator: Kathy Piela, PT, DPT
• Email: kpiela@mgb.org
• Phone: 617-952-6388

Similar studies

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

• 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

• Stem cell therapy for chronic stroke recovery

  This study is testing whether using a patient's own stem cells can help people with long-term stroke recovery feel better and improve their daily functioning.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Hokkaido University Hospital · Sapporo, Hokkaido · NCT06752720

• AI-based tools to help diagnose, treat and predict stroke outcomes across multiple hospitals

  This study tests AI-powered tools on real-world stroke patients to see if they can improve pre-hospital triage, diagnosis, and outcome prediction while data stay securely within each hospital.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · Leuven and 6 other locations · NCT07924371

• Web-based therapy using action observation and mirror therapy for arm weakness after stroke

  This trial tests whether a mobile telerehabilitation app delivering action observation therapy (AOT) alone or combined AOT with mirror therapy (AOT-MT) can improve upper limb function in people with subacute stroke.

  Recruiting Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · Taoyuan · NCT07921108

• Remote Ischaemic Conditioning for Fatigue After Stroke 2

  Aat least 12 weeks after stroke, adults with post-stroke fatigue will try a simple hand-arm cuff treatment at home to see if it helps reduce fatigue.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Sheffield, South Yorkshire · NCT07914647

• Dual-task balance training plus computer-based cognitive training after stroke

  In adults who recently had a stroke, the study tests whether adding computerized cognitive exercises to balance training improves balance and other recovery outcomes.

  Recruiting Matia Foundation · San Sebastián, GUIPUZCOA · NCT07913620

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.