Operant Conditioning of Reflex Pathways to Improve Walking in Individuals Post-stroke

University of Nevada, Las Vegas5 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine the changes in reflex pathways in the paretic ankle plantarflexors in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis using operant conditioning. We are recruiting 5 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis with foot drop in the affected leg to participate in the reflex training procedure. The study involves 40 visits with a total study duration of about 4 months.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Stroke Post-stroke Hemiparesis Foot Drop

Interventions

Operant conditioningBEHAVIORAL

In this training, individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis are trained to increase the amount of reciprocal inhibition in their paretic leg. By increasing the amount of reciprocal inhibition, the paretic ankle in people post-stroke may exhibit less foot drop.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 6 months following a single, unilateral stroke, resulting in hemiparesis. * Ambulatory with or without assistive device, but must demonstrate a gait deficit which is indicative of foot drop from reduced activation of the tibialis anterior muscle. * Able to follow verbal directions. * Able to see icons on computer monitor (with or without corrective lenses) from at least 4 feet away. * All subjects will be adults at least 18 years old. * Know history and current medication management for lower limb spasticity, if any. Exclusion Criteria: * No history of ear disease or balance problems outside of those caused by the stroke. * Cerebellar stroke * No other neurological disease or injuries other than the stroke affecting the use of the legs and/or walking.

Locations (1)

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in magnitude of reciprocal inhibition

Time frame: Before training Baseline, after completion of 30 training sessions, and 1 month after the completion of intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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