Reflex Excitability in Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait

MetroHealth Medical Center

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Stroke; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Walking, Difficulty; Gait Disorder, Sensorimotor; Gait, Hemiplegic; Chronic Stroke; Gait, Spastic

Treatments: Device: Commercial knee brace; Other: Peripheral nerve stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT04947865

R01HD100416 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

2017-01-0022

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the reflex excitability of the rectus femoris in individuals with and without post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait. We use electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerve innervating the rectus femoris for a well-controlled reflex stimulus. We are investigating whether reflex excitability of the rectus femoris correlates with gait kinematics.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of hyperreflexia in post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait function. In one aim,

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged at least 18
• Premorbidly independent
• If post-stroke, mild to moderate impairment determined by standard practices per the physical therapist
• Able to continuously walk for 30 minutes
• If post-stroke, reduced knee flexion during walking relative to unimpaired side
• If post-stroke, hemiparesis
• Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• No history of serious lower limb musculoskeletal injury
• No functionally relevant osteoarthritis and weight-bearing restrictions
• No functionally relevant polyneuropathy
• No functionally relevant cognitive impairment
• No functionally relevant vision impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait Participants

Experimental group

Description:

Individuals with post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait

Treatment:

Other: Peripheral nerve stimulation

Healthy Individuals

Experimental group

Description:

Healthy Individuals

Treatment:

Other: Peripheral nerve stimulation

Device: Commercial knee brace