RECRUITING

Finger Movement Training After Stroke

Description

Human development as a species has been strongly associated with the ability to dexterously manipulate objects and tools. Unfortunately, current therapy efforts typically fail to restore fine manual control after stroke. The goal of this study is to evaluate a new intervention that would combine targeted electrical stimulation of selected nerves with use a soft, pneumatically actuated hand exoskeleton to enhance repetitive practice of independent movements of the fingers and thumb in order to improve rehabilitation of hand function after stroke. The investigators will recruit stroke survivors in the subacute phase of recovery (2-18 months post-stroke). These participants will be involved in a 5-week intervention involving 15 training sessions. During these sessions, participants will train independent movement of the digits of the paretic hand. Evaluation of motor control of the paretic hand will occur prior to initiation of training, at the midpoint of the training period, after completion of training, and one month later.

Conditions

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Human development as a species has been strongly associated with the ability to dexterously manipulate objects and tools. Unfortunately, current therapy efforts typically fail to restore fine manual control after stroke. The goal of this study is to evaluate a new intervention that would combine targeted electrical stimulation of selected nerves with use a soft, pneumatically actuated hand exoskeleton to enhance repetitive practice of independent movements of the fingers and thumb in order to improve rehabilitation of hand function after stroke. The investigators will recruit stroke survivors in the subacute phase of recovery (2-18 months post-stroke). These participants will be involved in a 5-week intervention involving 15 training sessions. During these sessions, participants will train independent movement of the digits of the paretic hand. Evaluation of motor control of the paretic hand will occur prior to initiation of training, at the midpoint of the training period, after completion of training, and one month later.

A Multimodal Intervention to Improve Manual Dexterity in Subacute Stroke Survivors

Finger Movement Training After Stroke

Condition
Stroke
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Raleigh

Hand Rehabilitation Lab, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, 27695

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * A single, unilateral stroke 2-18 months prior to enrollment
  • * Moderate to mild hand impairment, as determined by a rating of Stage 4-6 on the Stage of Hand section of the Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment
  • * Visual capacity to discern specific shapes on the computer screen
  • * Capacity to provide informed consent
  • * Rigid contractures in the joints of the upper limbs, or orthopedic issues precluding joint movement
  • * Hemispatial neglect (as assessed by the Behavioral Inattention Test)
  • * Excessive pain in the paretic upper limb (visual analog scale of shoulder pain \< 70)

Ages Eligible for Study

21 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

North Carolina State University,

Study Record Dates

2026-08