Disorders, Gait Disorders, Hemiparesis, Posture, Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
Stroke, Hemiparesis, Posture, Balance, Gait Disorders
Brief summary
This study investigates the effect of cognitive priming through mental arithmetic on functional mobility in post-stroke patients. It hypothesizes that performing mental calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication) prior to movement stimulates frontoparietal networks, thereby improving gait speed and dynamic balance compared to a passive control condition.
Detailed description
Stroke often results in impaired sensorimotor integration and executive dysfunction, leading to gait and balance deficits. Emerging evidence suggests a link between numerical cognition and motor control networks. This randomized controlled trial compares an experimental group (performing 30-second mental arithmetic tasks) against a control group (passive visual exposure). Functional mobility is assessed immediately following the cognitive stimulus using the Ten-Meter Walk Test (10mWT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to evaluate the immediate "priming" effects of cognitive load on motor performance.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMental Arithmetic
Visual presentation of arithmetic equations (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication) projected on a screen. Participants must calculate and verbally report the answer within a 10-second window per equation.
BEHAVIORALPassive Viewing
Passive viewing of a black screen with no cognitive demand.
Sponsors
Lebanese University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Single Blind (Participant)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of stroke. * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 23. * Ability to walk 10 meters independently (with or without assistive device).
Exclusion criteria
* Hemianopia. * Wernicke's aphasia or Global aphasia. * Orthopedic injuries or recent surgeries affecting the lower limbs.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gait Speed (10mWT) | Immediately following the 30-second cognitive stimulus. | Assessed using the Ten-Meter Walk Test (10mWT). Participants walk 14 meters; time is recorded for the middle 10 meters to determine steady-state gait speed. |
| Dynamic Balance (TUG) | Immediately following the 30-second cognitive stimulus. | Assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Time taken to stand from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down. |
Countries
Lebanon
Contacts
CONTACTAhmad I. Rifai Sarraj, PhD
CONTACTJihan Allaw, Master
Outcome results
None listed