The goal of this clinical trial is to to determine the effect of movement-based priming using the upper limbs on lower limb neuroplasticity and behaviors in chronic stroke. The main questions we aim to answer are: 1. What are the acute effect of UL-priming on lower limb neuroplasticity and motor behaviors in persons with stroke compared to other priming modalities? 2. What are the time effects of UL-priming on neuroplasticity and motor behavior in individuals with stroke? In this cross over study, participants will be involved in three priming sessions involving \- UL-priming using rhythmic, symmetric, bilateral priming involving the movement of at least one major joint in the upper limbs. AND \- Sham priming using auditory stimulation (1 Hz metronome). AND \- Lower-limb movement-based priming using rhythmic, symmetric, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements. Researchers will compare outcome measures between the different priming sessions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
17
Repetitive upper limb movements administered to the beat of a metronome.
Repetitive lower limb movements administered to the beat of a metronome.
Auditory stimulation.
Brain Plasticity Lab
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Corticomotor excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to assess the corticomotor excitability from the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after priming and to 24 hours after priming.
Spinal H-reflex excitability using peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) will be used to assess the H reflexes excitability from the soleus muscles.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after priming and to 24 hours after priming.
Muscle Strength
An estimate of maximum ankle muscle force will be obtained for three trials of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion contractions using a force transducer and EMG.
Time frame: Change from baseline to immediately after priming and to 24 hours after priming.
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