This research study aims to understand the relationship between brain stimulation and leg skill learning in both healthy adults and persons with chronic stroke.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
108
Stroke participants will be randomly assigned into one of three groups: anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), sham tDCS (s-tDCS), or control groups (i.e. no brain stimulation). Stroke participants in the first two groups will receive five sessions of the assigned brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training over five consecutive days. Healthy adults will be randomly assignments into a-tDCS or s-tDCS groups.
Physical Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGMean change from baseline in stepping motor control after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learning
Stepping motor control will be quantified by the time (seconds) that each participant takes to initiate a forward step onto a visual target displayed on the wall screen.
Time frame: Day 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training
Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal activations after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learning
The neuronal activations will be quantified by peak-to-peak electrical signals detected by surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes on leg muscles after transcranial magnetic stimulations
Time frame: Day 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training
Mean change from baseline in lower extremity (LE) motor function after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learning
LE motor function will be quantified by Fugl-Meyer LE motor test, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and gait speed (meters/second) during ground walking tests.
Time frame: Day 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training
Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal network activations after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learning
The neuronal activations will be quantified by oxygen consumption changes locally detected by surface infrared diodes
Time frame: Day 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training
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