Strategies for Recovery of Dexterity Post Stroke
Stroke With Hemiparesis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stroke With Hemiparesis focused on measuring Rehabilitation, Fingers, Grasp, Strength, Hand Function, Motor Function, Post Stroke, Brain Infraction, Biomechanis, Neuronal Plasticity, Weight-Bearing
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to read/write in English
- Age > 18 yrs
- Radiologically verified stroke > 4 months old (3T structural MRI)
- Moderate arm motor impairment (Fugl-Meyer Scale < 60/66)
- Ability to reach, grasp and lift the test objects with the affected side as assessed by the PI
- Willingness to complete all clinical assessments and MRI, and comply with training protocols
- Ability to give informed consent and HIPPA certificationsPlease list all exclusion criteria for study:
Exclusion Criteria:
- Sensorimotor impairments in the unaffected hand
- Severe visual or sensory impairment, including neglect on the affected side
- Significant cognitive dysfunction (score < 24 on Folstein's Mini Mental Status Examination)
- Severe or unstable spasticity on treatment with Botulinum toxin or intrathecal baclofen
- Depression (Geriatric Depression Scale score <11)
- Major disability (modified Rankin Scale > 4)
- Previous neurological illness, complicated medical condition, or significant injury to either upper extremity
Sites / Locations
- New York University School of Medicine
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Other
Other
Stroke & age-matched Controls
Phase 2 - Stroke ONLY
Alternate Hand Training or Affected Hand Training: 40 patients with stroke and 40 control subjects will participate over 7 visits. After completion of informed consent, subjects will undergo clinical assessments (Visit 1) which will involve testing for kinesthetic, visual, tactile and motor impairments and upper limb function. Visit 2, subjects will undergo no contrast MRI to identify lesion location. Healthy controls will not be imaged. Visits 3-7 will involve psychophysical experiments to test adaptation with short-term Alternate Hand Training and Affected Hand Training. During 5 visits the subjects will grasp and lift an instrumented grip device of different weights, textures and shapes while data is being collected via surface electrodes from, upper arm and back muscles.
Alternate Hand Training or Affected Hand Training: Subjects will be randomized into two groups one receiving Alternate Hand Training and the other receiving Affected Hand Training. The groups will be matched by age, gender, handedness, side of lesion, extent of motor impairment and lesion location. They will complete 17 Study visits. Visits 1 and 2 will involve clinical assessments and MRI. Visit 3. Pre-intervention assessments involving grasping and lifting objects of different weights, textures and shapes while fingertip forces, finger and arm movements. Muscle activity and performance is measured. Visits 4-15. Subjects will participate in 12 training visits for 1 hour a day, twice a week for 6 weeks. Visits 16-17. Recovery of hand function will be measured by repeating the pre-intervention clinical and grasping assessments (in 2 visits) immediately after 6-weeks of training, and another 6 weeks later.