Over four million stroke survivors currently living in the United States are unable to walk independently in the community. To increase the effectiveness of gait rehabilitation, it is critical to develop therapies that are based on an understanding of brain adaptations that occur after stroke. This project will be the first step towards the development of a novel therapeutic approach using brain stimulation to increase walking capacity in stroke survivors and understand the neural mechanisms that are associated with impairment and functional recovery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
81
1 mA of tDCS
Ankle motor training
High intensity treadmill training
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Change in gait speed using 10 meter walk test
10-meter walk test: Gait speed will be measured as the average of 3 trials of the 10-m walk test. Participants will be asked to walk at their normal comfortable pace to cover a distance of 10 meters without an AFO (handheld assistive device is acceptable if needed).
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up
Change in 6 minute walk test
The 6 Minute Walk Test is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. Participants will be asked to walk at their normal pace for 6 minutes.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up
Change in Berg Balance Scale
Balance will be measured using the Berg Balance Scale. It is a 14 item list with each item consisting of a five-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating the lowest level of function and 4 the highest level of function. Tasks such as standing with eyes closed, one leg stance etc are included.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up
Change in Quality of life measures
QOL will be measured with the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). The SIS is a stroke-specific self-reported health status measure.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up
Change in cortical excitability of leg muscles using TMS
Transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to measure contralateral and ipsilateral corticospinal excitability of the paretic tibialis anterior (TA) using the protocol previously published by the PI Dr. Madhavan.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.