Reflex Excitability in Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait

Characterization of Abnormal Reflex Couplings Via H-reflex Stimulation

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04947865

Enrollment

Registered

2021-07-01

Start date

2021-06-11

Completion date

2026-07-29

Last updated

2026-09-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Stroke, Gait Disorder, Sensorimotor, Gait Disorders, Neurologic, Gait, Hemiplegic, Gait, Spastic, Stroke, Walking, Difficulty

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the reflex excitability of the rectus femoris in individuals with and without post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait. We use electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerve innervating the rectus femoris for a well-controlled reflex stimulus. We are investigating whether reflex excitability of the rectus femoris correlates with gait kinematics.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of hyperreflexia in post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait function. In one aim,

Interventions

OTHERPeripheral nerve stimulation

Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves to measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity

DEVICECommercial knee brace

Knee brace used to limit knee mobility in healthy individuals to imitate stroke survivors and measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity.

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Aged at least 18 * Premorbidly independent * If post-stroke, mild to moderate impairment determined by standard practices per the physical therapist * Able to continuously walk for 30 minutes * If post-stroke, reduced knee flexion during walking relative to unimpaired side * If post-stroke, hemiparesis * Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* No history of serious lower limb musculoskeletal injury * No functionally relevant osteoarthritis and weight-bearing restrictions * No functionally relevant polyneuropathy * No functionally relevant cognitive impairment * No functionally relevant vision impairment

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Surface electromyographic recording of leg muscles during different conditions	1 hour	Recording electrical activity of leg muscles during walking in response to peripheral nerve stimulation

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Circumduction measure	1 hour	Hip abduction joint motion measured with motion capture

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJames S Sulzer

Case Western Reserve University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 5, 2026