Active clinical trials for "Stroke"

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide and in Hong Kong, 6.2% of all registered deaths in 2020 were due to cerebrovascular disease. Exercise training has the potential to improve the deconditioned hemodynamic, motor, and cognitive functions associated with stroke. Purpose: The proposed study seeks to investigate the effects of AET on the large intracranial and extracranial cerebral arteries' morphological and haemodynamic features and the cognitive and motor functions in post-stroke chronic patients. Additionally, the study seeks to compare the cerebral arteries' features between post-stroke patients and age-matched controls without stroke. Furthermore, the project seeks to assess the association between the cerebrovascular system changes and the cognitive and motor function changes in post-stroke patients undergoing AET. Study Design: A Randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which the post-stroke patients will be randomly assigned into three groups consisting of a control group and two AET interventional groups (treadmill and cycle ergometer). Each group will target sample size of 20 participants. The target dosage for the two AET modes will consist of 1.) a session duration=30mins, 2.) frequency=3times/week, 3.) high intensity=(60-84% heart rate reserve (HHR).4.) Types=Treadmill and cycle ergometer 5.) overall program duration=3months. Data collection methods: Quantitative data on the cerebral arteries' haemodynamic and morphological features will be assessed using duplex carotid ultrasound (DCUS) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound techniques. Montreal cognitive assessment (HK) version and six-minute walk test (6MWT) will assess cognitive and motor functions respectively. The data will be assessed at three time periods of during the 3 months AET program Significance of the study: The study has the potential to inform the clinical decision making process on the usefulness of AET in improving post-stroke chronic patients. Results on associations will provide a basis for future work in chronic stroke Rehabilitation functional outcome prediction models based on DCUS and TCD ultrasound imaging techniques.

There is limited literature for the evaluation of comparison between effectiveness of postural control and balance training program on stable surface and unstable surface. So this study will help to improve reactive postural control in stroke patients which ultimately improve their walking capability, mobility and level of independence. This study will also enable the individual to be more independent and minimize their falls.

This study will use a randomized controlled trial design to assess the possible difference between two intensive treatment programs: a classic "Hand and Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities" (HABIT-ILE) therapy and a HABIT-ILE therapy implemented at the patient's home. Moreover, this study also aims to assess whether the patient's abilities are better with follow-up than without follow-up after two weeks of HABIT-ILE therapy. The possible difference between the therapies will be studied in terms of functional capacities, activities and social participation.

Objectives: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a common disease in patients with ischemic stroke and the most common cause of vascular dementia. Blood pressure (BP)-lowering is generally considered neuroprotective. Nevertheless, in patients with severe SVD burden, the optimal BP target is uncertain. Hypothesis: BP-lowering to a systolic BP of 120-129mmHg in ischemic stroke patients with severe SVD is not associated with impaired cerebral perfusion, nor does it associate with worsening of structural connectivity and cognitive function. Design and subjects: One-year trial where patients aged ≥50 with a history of ischaemic stroke and severe cerebral SVD will be randomised (1:1) to a systolic BP target of 120-129mmHg versus 130-140mmHg. Study instruments: At baseline and one-year, all subjects will receive a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate their cerebral blood flow (CBF) and white matter integrity. They will also receive neuropsychological batteries to evaluate cognitive functioning. In addition, subjects will receive home BP monitoring with periodic medication changes prescribed by medical doctor to ensure the target BP is achieved. Main outcome measures: Primary end-point is the change in CBF. Secondary end-points include changes in structural connectivity and cognitive performance.

Ischemic post-conditioning is a neuroprotective strategy attenuating reperfusion injury in animal stroke models. The investigators have conducted a 3 + 3 dose-escalation trial to demonstrate the safety and tolerability of ischemic post-conditioning incrementally for a longer duration of up to 5 min × 4 cycles in stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. This study aims to assess the infarct volume after ischemic post-conditioning in patients with acute ischemic stroke who are treated with mechanical thrombectomy.

The aim of study is to determine whether the Virtual Reality training applied in addition to the exercises given inside and outside the parallel bar is effective on balance, daily living activities and knee control in stroke patients. The hypotheses of the study are: Hypothesis 1: H0: Virtual reality training has no effect on balance in stroke patients. H1: Virtual reality training has an effect on balance in stroke patients. Hypothesis 2; H0: Virtual reality training has no effect on activities of daily living in stroke patients. H1: Virtual reality training has an effect on daily living activities in stroke patients. Hypothesis 3; H0: Virtual reality training has no effect on knee control in stroke patients. H1: Virtual reality training has an effect on knee control in stroke patients

This project seeks to evaluate the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on the recovery of motor control of the upper limb and associated neuronal synchrony during a 14-sessions (5-week) rehabilitation program for adult patients with diagnosis of stroke at chronic stage. Specifically, the stimulation on Gamma ranges, because the evidence available so far allows us to propose that the tACS in the Gamma range (around 70 Hz) facilitates motor execution. For this purpose, the experimental approach involves active (70 Hz in Gamma rhythm and 7 Hz, Theta rhythm) and sham tACS together with an analytical and integrated motor training with a double-blind and randomized design. Our hypothesis is that Gamma frequency tACS restores neuronal synchrony in Beta range, which enhances the upper limb motor recovery associated with a training program. Using specific motor control parameters, clinical scales and electroencephalography, the immediate and long-term (3 months after finished the training) behavioral and neurophysiological effect of this new neurostimulation paradigm (tACS plus training) for motor rehabilitation of stroke will be established.

Background: Recently, there has been increasing attention on the application of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in ischemic stroke. This innovative technique involves non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. A controlled study by Dawson et al. (2021), conducted using a randomized, double-blind approach, has demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) when paired with motor function training, can effectively promote the improvement of motor dysfunction in stroke patients. In the same year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of VNS, alongside motor rehabilitation training, for upper extremity dysfunction caused by stroke. However, it is worth noting that VNS requires surgical procedures with contraindications. Consequently, researchers are exploring taVNS as a potential alternative intervention. Compared to VNS, taVNS offers a low-risk and user-friendly intervention that eliminates the need for surgery and the associated postoperative complications. A recent meta-analysis has shown that the efficacy of taVNS in upper extremity rehabilitation for stroke patients can be comparable to that of VNS. Therefore, pairing taVNS with motor training holds promise as a valuable clinical tool for post-stroke rehabilitation. Methods and Design: This study presents a protocol for a single-center randomized, double-blind controlled trial. A total of 150 participants will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three groups (Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3) in a 1:1:1 ratio. Each patient will undergo a total of 14 treatment sessions. In Group 1, patients will receive motor training paired with taVNS. In Group 2, patients will receive motor training and taVNS interventions, seperately. In Group 3, patients will receive motor training paired with sham taVNS. Primary and secondary outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after taVNS treatment. The primary outcome will be determined by evaluating the behavioral response to treatment, using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Discussion: This study aims to elucidate the role of paired taVNS in the rehabilitation of upper extremity dysfunction in stroke patients. The researchers propose a novel approach by pairing taVNS with individualized training actions, utilizing electromyography (EMG) during motor training to precisely trigger taVNS.

The aim of this research is to find the immediate effects of propriocepticve neuromuscular facilitation with lower leg kinesiotaping on ankle dorsiflexion, gait and functional mobility in patients with chronic stroke. It will be a randomized clinical trial in which participants will be selected through non probability convenience sampling. Patients aged range from 40 to 70 years, both gender, diagnosed with hemiplegia due to hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke for more than 6 months, with insufficient ankle dorsi flexion less than 8 degree will be included in this study whereas patients with neurological problems other than stroke that would interfere with gait and balance control and with limbs affected bilaterally will be excluded from study. Participant will be randomly allocated into three groups (A,B and C). Group A will receive only ankle kinesiotaping that will be applied for 30 minutes for one session. Group B will receive proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation hold-relax technique in flexion-adduction-external rotation pattern, 15-20 repetitions that will be applied in lying position for 10-15 minutes for one session. Group C will receive both proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation hold-relax technique with ankle kinesiotaping. Posttest measurement will be taken after 30 minutes of one session of treatment using Time up and GO (TUG) test, dynamic gait index, barthel index and Motor Assessment Scale . Data will be analyzed by SPSS version 21

Over eighty percent of stroke patients experience finger-grasping dysfunction problems, compromising independence in daily life activities and quality of life. In routine training, task-oriented training is usually used for functional training of the hand, which may improve the finger grasping performance after stroke, whereby augmented therapy may lead to a better treatment outcome. Technology-supported training holds opportunities for increasing training intensity. However, most of the hand rehabilitation robots commonly used in the clinic are based on passive training mode and lacks the sensory feedback function of fingers, which is not conducive to patients completing more accurate grasping movements. The force feedback hand rehabilitation robot can make up for the above defects, but its clinical efficacy in stroke patients are not known to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness and added value of the force feedback hand rehabilitation robot combined with task-oriented training for stroke patients with hemiplegia.