Proof-of-concept of a Robotic Knee Exoskeleton in Healthy Subjects and Hemiparetic Patients During...
Hemiparesis/Hemiplegia (One Sided Weakness/Paralysis)Hemiparetic gait is characterized by strong asymmetries that could severely affect the quality of life of stroke survivors. This asymmetry is due to motor deficits in the paretic leg and the resulting compensations in the non-paretic limb. In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate the effect of actively promoting gait symmetry in hemiparetic patients by assessing the behavior of both paretic and non-paretic lower limbs. To this end, the investigators use a unilateral active Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis able to assist the paretic limb of hemiparetic patients during gait. The system is able to synchronize its action with the movement of the unassisted joints, promoting a natural and intuitive interaction. The device generate the assistance according to two differents strategies: (1) Replicating the movement of the helathy leg or (2) Inducing a healthy gait pattern on the paretic leg. The hypothesis is that a proper and natural interaction between the user and the exoskeleton would enable the patients to consider the robot action as a part of their own gait capability, improving their gait quality as consequence. Hemiparetic asymmetry is not only due to impairments in the affected limb, but also it is the consequence of biomechanical compensatory mechanisms that might arose in the non-paretic leg. We aim to assess the adaptation process of the subject to the exoskeleton assistance, and to evaluate the effects of such human-robot interaction in both paretic and non-paretic legs.
BCI Post-stroke Neurorehabilitation
Poststroke/CVA HemiparesisParalytic Stroke1 moreThe goal is to evaluate the potential of a EEG based BCI (Brain-Computer-Interface) connected to a non-invasive pneumatic glove for rehabilitation of hand-movements post-stroke.
Aquatic Treadmill Therapy for Improving Gait, Balance, Fitness and Quality of Life in Stroke Patients...
Ischemic or Hemorrhagic StrokeHemiparesisThis study aims to determine if Aquatic Treadmill Therapy is effective for improving economy of gait, gait speed, balance, and cardiovascular fitness in people with chronic stroke.
Plantarflexor PAS - Stroke
StrokeHemiparesis1 moreThe current project investigates a method called paired associative stimulation (PAS) which is known to influence nervous system function through a process called neuroplasticity. Here the investigators will target function of the ankle plantarflexor muscles because they are critically important to walking. The investigators will study adults who have walking dysfunction resulting from stroke. The study will test three ways of delivering PAS targeted towards brain-muscle connections serving the ankle plantarflexors. The overall goal is to improve functioning of the plantarflexors. The investigators believe that improving plantarflexor function will increase the likelihood of positive effects from gait retraining programs for people post-stroke. Participants will experience all three PAS methods in separate sessions. The investigators will compare differences in the size of these effects to identify the optimal method for delivery of PAS to the ankle plantarflexors. This study is a preliminary step to help us design a better clinical trial of combined PAS and gait retraining.
Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation in Patients With Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia and/or Hemiparesis Following StrokeComparison of Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation Efficiency with Conventional Rehabilitation in Patients with Hemiplegia after Cerebrovascular Event
Effects of Doxycycline on Persistent Symptoms Post-neuroborreliosis
FatigueRadicular Pain3 moreThe aim of this randomised, double-blind crossover study was to determine whether Doxycycline has an impact on the persistent symptoms post-neuroborreliosis, through alterations in the immune response and whether such an effect could influence the clinical outcome.
Music Therapy/Physical Therapy Intervention to Enhance Well-being and Functional Recovery Post-stroke...
Stroke With HemiparesisThe purpose of this study is to see if group Music Therapy and Physical Therapy will help in the recovery from stroke. It is hoped that music and physical therapy in a group setting will help physical, mental, and social well-being.
Effects of Mental Practice for Mobility in Post-stroke Hemiparesis
StrokeHemiparesisStroke is a neurovascular event characterized by impaired blood supply to the brain due to rupture or obstruction of certain cerebral arteries, which often results in hemiparesis and can affect individuals of any age and sex, being prevalent in the elderly population. Among the main treatments available for stroke rehabilitation, most of them demands an appropriate structure and high-qualified personnel. Searching for more affordable treatment options, several studies suggest the use of mental practice with motor imagery as a potential therapeutic tool, since it can be performed at any place or any time the patient wishes, including their own homes. Motor imagery can be defined as the covert cognitive process of imagining a movement of your own body(-part) without actually moving that body(-part). Within this context, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of mental practice for mobility, gait function and speed and muscle strength of the lower limb in subacute post-stroke hemiparesis.
Comparing Virtual Reality Therapy With Modified-CIMT Versus Modified-CIMT Alone in Hemiparetic Children...
HemiparesisThis study intends to compare the efficacy of of virtual reality therapy(VRT) with modified constraint induced movement therapy(mCIMT) versus modified constraint induced movement therapy alone for children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy aged >/= 5-18 years, in improving the upper limb functions, as measured by the QUEST (Quality of Upper Extremity Skill Test score) over 3 months of intervention.
Movement in the Non-use of the Affected Upper Extremity in Children Hemiparesis: Mirror Therapy...
HemiplegiaInfantileChildren with cerebral palsy hemiplegia present a restriction in the daily activities due to the limitation in the active movement of the affected upper extremity. The mirror therapy (MT) in children with hemiparesis produces an improvement in the quality of movement and in the perception of the affected upper extremity. The action-observation therapy (AOT) favors the motor behaviour of the affected upper extremity through the observation of sequences of systematic activities and their posterior execution. It also produces an increase in the excitability of the corticospinal tract, originating muscular pattern contraction similar to the observed ones and favoring the motor activity. The combination of both therapies might improve the quality of movement of the upper extremity and provide a major cortical activation and increase the spontaneous use on having created the only protocol of intervention which includes the benefits of both interventions. The principal aim of this study is to analyze the influence of the quality of movement in the spontaneous use of the upper extremity affected in children with hemiparesis as well as the improvement of both variables across MTAO. Another specific aim will be to determine if "the non-use" is determined by the quality of the movement of the segment, if the MTAO reduces "the non-use" of this extremity as well as to obtain a protocol of intervention that increases the quality of movement and the spontaneous long-term use. A randomized controlled trial will be carry out in children with hemiparesia between 6 and 12 years, with a spontaneous use of the hand according to the scale HOUSE, a level Manual Ability Classification System (MASC) I-III and a good cooperation and cognition. Those with a severe spasticity, previous surgery of the upper extremity and the use of botox will be excluded. The children will be divided in two groups. The experimental group will receive for 20 days a daily therapy of 15 minutes at home of MT and 45 of AOT, whereas the control group will receive 60 minutes of AOT. Four measurements will be obtained: basal situation, at the end of the treatment and measures of follow-up to 3 and 6 months after the end of the treatment. Despite the sociodemographic variables, measures of the quality of the movement, the spontaneous use of the upper extremity, the questionnaire CHEQ and the AHA scale.