Active clinical trials for "Stroke"

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of MyndMove therapy in the early sub-acute, late sub-acute and chronic post-stroke patients. Other objectives include assessing the required doses of electrical current amplitudes, the usability of the device, and examining the overall safety.

Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability. Current treatments for functional loss of the upper extremity post-stroke remain limited in efficacy, particularly for those with moderate to severe impairment. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for motor recovery post-stroke, a technique of neuromodulation. Motor imagery is effective to enhance motor recovery, with activation of neural pathways similar to that of motor execution. This treatment is accessible to more severely impaired stroke survivors. Our previous studies have demonstrated feasibility and efficacy of motor imagery-based brain computer interface (MI-BCI) for post-stroke motor impairment, in which motor imagery is detected by surface EEG and translated to execution of the target movement with the aid of an arm robot (MIT-Manus). In this study, we investigate the feasibility of combining robot-assisted MI-BCI training, with tDCS to facilitate post-stroke motor recovery in moderate to severe impairment of upper extremity function. We hypothesise that both tDCS-BCI and sham-BCI will improve motor function in the stroke-affected arm; but that tDCS-BCI will be more effective than sham-BCI. Our secondary aim is to gain insight into the neurophysiological mechanism by comparing the cortical excitability changes following sham-BCI vs tDCS-BCI, using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We will conduct a randomized, double-blinded study with MI-BCI combined with tDCS (tDCS-BCI) vs MI-BCI combined with sham-tDCS (sham tDCS-BCI). Subjects will undergo 10 sessions of tDCS each lasting 20 minutes, followed by 40 minutes of robot-assisted MI-BCI training at each session. Primary outcome will be functional ability measured by upper extremity component of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment. Secondary outcome measures will be the Box & Block Test, Modified Ashworth Score (measuring spasticity), grip strength and measures of brain activity including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures including functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This study will be important to develop a new and effective treatment (tDCS-BCI) for post-stroke motor impairment.

This open label trial is conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of allogeneic umbilical cord blood (UCB) therapy for patients with stroke.

The objective of this work will be compare the effects of two balance training programs, one Nintendo Wii Fit-based and the other traditionally-based without the use of a gaming system, on the (1) motor function, (2) cognition, (3) balance and (4) gait in chronic stroke patients. It is a prospective, single blinded, randomized clinical trial performed at Center of Research of the courses of Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy of São Paulo University. Forty patients will be randomly assigned in control and experimental group, 20 each one.

Given previous evidence that non invasive brain stimulation enhances the effects of conventional therapies, this randomized sham-controlled trial with 4-weeks follow-up aimed to determine if the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)combined with conventional physical therapy (VRT) would be superior to physical therapy in improving upper limb function and quality of life with chronic stroke individuals.

This study aims to evaluate systematically and controlled the effectiveness of mental practice techniques and modified constraint- induced movement therapy (mCIMT)in the treatment of post-stroke patients with motor deficit in the upper limb. As well as finding a protocol of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)that will maximize the effects of the practice of mental image and mCIMT. To this end, the subjects included will be submitted to 12 therapy sessions with active or sham tDCS combined with at least one of the following techniques: conventional physiotherapy, mental practice technique or mCIMT

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Botulax® compared to Botox® reducing upper limb muscle tone in post stroke patients.

The purpose of this study is to compare the training effects of robot-assisted therapy focus on proximal part, distal part, or total segment of upper extremity, respectively.

We hypothesize that (1) the hybrid therapy will induce greater improvements on some health-related outcomes compared to other therapies; (2) such benefits will retain at 6-month follow-up; (3) better motor control and brain reorganization will be found in the hybrid therapy than the other therapies; (4) correlations will be found between brain activity and movement kinematics/health-related outcomes.

Little is known about how exercise can affect heart function in stroke survivors. This study will look at changes in cardiovascular fitness and function after 6 months of exercise. Volunteers will be tested before and after the program and again 2 months later to measure the effects on stroke risk factors, fitness level and flexibility of the arteries. Blood tests will measure cholesterol levels and other signs of inflammation. This study will help us better understand how exercise after stroke can improve heart function and heart health, and ultimately help in lowering future stroke risk.