NCT06442579 The Influence of Cortical Lateralization on Selective Motor Control of the Arm Swing During Independent Walking After Stroke.
| NCT ID | NCT06442579 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Ghent |
| Condition | Healthy |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 84 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-07-09 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 84 participants in total. It began in 2024-07-09 with a primary completion date of 2026-12-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The upper limbs play an essential role for safe and efficient walking in healthy persons and persons post-stroke. Nevertheless, in current post-stroke gait rehabilitation (research) the upper limbs are barely targeted. To address this gap, my project aims to investigate the selective motor control of the upper limbs during walking and the contribution of the cortical activity to the arm swing in independent walkers after stroke. To gain insight in the direct effects of stroke on the arm swing, the primary motor control of the arm swing will be evaluated by determining muscle synergies (i.e group of muscles working together as a task-specific functional unit). Additionally, the cortical activity (EEG-analysis) during walking of persons post-stroke will be compared to healthy controls and the relationship between stroke-induced changes in cortical activity and arm swing deviations will be assessed. Furthermore, I will evaluate whether improvements in cortical activity relate to improvements in primary motor control of the arm swing. This innovative project will be the first to investigate the direct coupling between the cortex and the muscle synergies in persons post-stroke during independent walking to investigate the arm swing. These fundamental insights in the primary motor control of the arm swing and the contribution of the cortical activity will allow to develop targeted interventions aiming to improve arm swing and as such optimize post-stroke gait rehabilitation. Research questions: 1. How can muscle synergies explain arm swing alterations in independent walkers after stroke? 2. How do stroke-induced changes in cortical activity relate to arm swing deviations in persons after stroke? 3. Are changes in primary motor control of the upper limb during walking related to normalization of brain activity in independent walkers after stroke?
Eligibility Criteria
Stroke Inclusion Criteria: * First-ever and cerebral stroke * Able to walk at least 10 minutes (FAC ≥ 3) * Presence of upper limb paresis (NIHSS item 5a/b \> 0) Exclusion Criteria: * Other neurological disorders Healthy controls Inclusion criteria: * Older than 18 years * Able to walk at least 10 minutes Exlusion criteria: * Pregnancy
Contact & Investigator
Anke Van Bladel, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06442579 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 70 Years, studying Healthy. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06442579 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06442579 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Arne.Defour@UGent.be for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06442579 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Ghent, Belgium, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06442579 clinical trial?
NCT06442579 is sponsored by University Hospital, Ghent. The principal investigator is Anke Van Bladel, PhD at Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital. The trial plans to enroll 84 participants.