Cerebral Vascular Accident, Hemiparesis, Stroke, Stroke, Ischemic
Conditions
Keywords
arm, rehabilitation, non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, upper extremity
Brief summary
This study examines the effect of non-invasive brain stimulation targeting different brain areas on movement of the affected arm post-stroke. Participants will receive stimulation to each of 3 different brain areas combined with a session of arm exercise.
Detailed description
Small improvements in affected arm movement can be made with intensive physical practice. These improvements could potentially be enhanced by combining non-invasive brain stimulation with practice. To develop such an intervention, it is necessary to understand which brain areas should be stimulated in which types of patients. It is probably more beneficial to target one side of the brain vs. the other, for example, depending on the characteristics of the stroke. This study will examine the effect of stimulating one side of the brain vs. the other on the amount of improvement that occurs from physically practicing functional arm movements.
Interventions
PROCEDUREUnaffected Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation to unaffected hemisphere site prior to practice
PROCEDUREAffected Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation to affected hemisphere site prior to practice
PROCEDUREControl Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation to control site prior to practice
Sponsors
MedStar National Rehabilitation Network
George Mason University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The individual that conducts the tests of arm movement will be unaware of which brain area was stimulated.
Intervention model description
Each participant will receive stimulation targeting each brain area. The order in which the stimulation sites are targeted for each participant is randomized and there is a washout period of several weeks between each treatment.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* More than 6 months post-stroke * Loss of voluntary finger movement in the affected hand * Some voluntary movement of affected shoulder and/or elbow
Exclusion criteria
* Brainstem or cerebellar stroke * Severe cognitive or language deficits * Epilepsy or other seizure disorder * Central nervous system disease or disorder other than stroke
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in movement time | Baseline and 1 Day | Percentage change in time it takes to move the arm a standardized distance |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in maximum reaching distance | Baseline and 1 Day | Percentage change in maximum distance participant is able to reach |
| Change in hand path kinematics | Baseline and 1 Day | Percentage change in temporal and spatial movement of the hand during reaching |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed