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OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT04947865

Reflex Excitability in Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait

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.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Chronic Stroke Gait Disorder, Sensorimotor Gait Disorders, Neurologic Gait, Hemiplegic Gait, Spastic Mobility Limitation Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Vascular Diseases Walking, Difficulty

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

MetroHealth Medical Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States

About this study

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

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Other

Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves to measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity

Commercial knee brace

Device

Knee brace used to limit knee mobility in healthy individuals to imitate stroke survivors and measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity.

Primary outcomes

  1. Surface electromyographic recording of leg muscles during different conditions

    Time frame: 1 hour

    Recording electrical activity of leg muscles during walking in response to peripheral nerve stimulation

Secondary outcomes

  1. Circumduction measure

    Time frame: 1 hour

    Hip abduction joint motion measured with motion capture

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

MetroHealth Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Registry information

Official study title

Characterization of Abnormal Reflex Couplings Via H-reflex Stimulation

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 1, 2021
Registry last updated
Dec 19, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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