
Active Limb Orthosis for Home-Use Stroke Hemiparetic Gait Rehabilitation
StrokeThe objective of this research is to test a passive shoe to correct gait in individuals with asymmetric walking patterns. This will be done in a clinic and within their own home. Individuals with central nervous system damage, such as stroke, often have irregular walking patterns and have difficulty walking correctly. Recent research has shown that using a split-belt treadmill can create after-effects that temporarily correct the inefficient walking patterns. However, the corrected walking pattern does not efficiently transfer from the treadmill to walking over ground. The iStride, formerly known as the Gait Enhancing Mobile Shoe (GEMS), may allow a patient to practice walking in many different locations, such as their own home, which we hypothesize will result in a more permanent transfer of learned gait patterns. To enable long-term use, our proposed shoe design is passive and uses the wearer's natural forces exerted while walking to generate the necessary motions.

A Cognitive-Augmented Mobility Program
StrokeThis project will combine best-evidence gait and mobility training with best evidence cognitive strategy training to produce a new cognitive-augmented mobility intervention that is expected to optimize long-term functional mobility outcomes for those living with stroke. More importantly, the new cognitive-augmented mobility program (CAMP) will address two crucial outcomes that do not occur with current approaches: 1. Maintenance of mobility gains after discharge from formal rehabilitation and 2. Transfer of skills learned in rehabilitation to real-world community living. This project will result in a new, fully defined intervention, and will provide effect size and cost estimates to design a future appropriately powered randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Neuromuscular and Biomechanical Control of Lower Limb Loading in Individuals With Chronic Stroke...
StrokeHemiparesisStroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. Individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke often have difficulty bearing weight on their legs and transferring weight from one leg to the other. The ability to bear weight on the legs is important during functional movements such as rising from a chair, standing and walking. Diminished weight transfer contributes to asymmetries during walking which commonly leads to greater energy expenditure. Moreover, deficits in bearing weight on the paretic leg contribute to lateral instability and are associated with decreased walking speed and increased risk of falling in individuals post-stroke. These functional limitations affect community participation and life quality. Thus, restoring the ability to bear weight on the legs, i.e., limb loading, is a critical goal for rehabilitation post-stroke. The purpose of this research is to identify the impairments in neuromechanical mechanisms of limb loading and determine whether limb loading responses can be retrained by induced forced limb loading.

The Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Impairment of the Painful Post-Stroke Shoulder
StrokeExamination of the effects of short-term use of TENS and t-NMES on passive pain-free ROM of the painful post-stroke shoulder. Treatments are compared with no stimulation.

Lateral Stair Walking Training After Chronic Stroke
Chronic Stroke PatientsThe experimental group received 15 minutes of lateral stair walking exercise and 30 minutes of traditional physiotherapy (strengthening exercise, balance training and gait training) each time. The measures were done by one experience physical therapist (not involve in the intervention) before receiving the intervention and at weeks four, eight, and twelve. It took 45 minutes for each subject to complete all measures each time.

Antiplatelet vs R-tPA for Acute Mild Ischemic Stroke
StrokeAcute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of common diseases with significant morbidity, mortality and disability. A wide array of studies confirms that intravenous thrombolytic therapy with alteplase can effectively improve the functional prognosis in acute ischemic stroke. Thus all guidelines recommended the intravenous thrombolytic therapy with alteplase for acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours from stroke onset. Minor stroke is usually defined as NIHSS score ≤ 3 or 5,although it accounts for 1/2-2/3 of AIS, the evidence of thrombolysis is insufficient. A study from Canada shows that 28.5% of patients with minor stroke who have not receive rt-pa thrombolytic therapy are unable to walk independently when discharged. Based on such a consideration,the PRISMS study further compares the efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy with antithrombotic therapy in patients with minor stroke. Unfortunately, the study has been early terminated due to the sponsorship reason in 2018, with only 313 cases enrolled. The preliminary results shows that there is no significant difference of the 90-day neurological function between the two groups, while the safety of the treatment group with alteplase has a higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. The patient receiving thrombolysis can not be given antithrombolytic therapy within 24 hours even if the patient's condition has worsened, is clinically more puzzling. The CHANCE study in 2013 shows that the efficacy of aspirin with clopidogrel is superior to aspirin alone with minor stroke (NIHSS < 3) or TIA(ABCD2 < 4). The POINT study in 2018 further confirmed the efficacy and safety of intensive antithrombotic therapy within 12 hours of onset with minor stroke. Based on the above discussion, this study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of aspirin with clopidogrel vs alteplase in the treatment of acute minor stroke.

Expressive Arts-based Intervention for Young and Pre-elderly Stroke Survivors
StrokeStroke is a devastating illness that induces numerous impairments of body function and structure, and limitations to activities in all aspects of life, thus imposing multi-faceted restrictions on one's participation in daily living. It also has detrimental impacts on one's mental health, social relationship, and quality of life. Existing research focuses primarily on older adults stroke survivors; this study is set out to contribute to current knowledge of the effectiveness of arts-based rehabilitation on younger stroke survivors. Both psychological and physiological outcomes will be examined for a comprehensive understanding on the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual changes after participating in a non-pharmacological, engaging, safe and enjoyable multi-modal expressive arts-based intervention approach of rehabilitation.This current study will adopt a 2-arm randomized controlled design with treatment-as-usual control. Upon screening for inclusion exclusion criteria, baseline data will be collected; and eligible participants will be randomized into either an 8-week Expressive Arts-based intervention group or Treatment-As-Usual control group.

Exoskeleton-assisted Training to Accelerate Walking Recovery Early After Stroke: the TARGET Phase...
StrokeParesis2 morePhase II: Investigating the effects of additional robot-assisted gait training either initiated early (2 weeks post-stroke) or delayed (8 weeks post-stroke) after stroke onset.

Measuring Ambulation, Motor, and Behavioral Outcomes With Post-Stroke Fluoxetine in Tanzania
Acute StrokeStroke1 moreThis is a phase II, randomized study of 120 adults age 18 or above who will prescribed 20mg daily Fluoxetine for 90 days following acute, ischemic stroke.

Effect of Robot Gait Training With Brain Stimulation on Gait Function in Stroke Patients
StrokeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of robot gait training with the noninvasive brain stimulation in stroke patients.