Hybrid Robot+FES Stroke Rehabilitation

Description

The investigators have developed a novel robot-guided stretching under intelligent control and combine it with active movement training, which helped increase joint ROM, reduce spasticity and joint stiffness, increase muscle force output, and improve locomotion. However, for stroke survivors with sensorimotor impairment, their peripheral muscle may not sufficiently be recruited. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), has been shown its advantage to activate the peripheral muscles for people with neurological conditions. The investigators thus make a hybrid robot-FES rehabilitation system, combining the advantage of robot and FES technologies for stroke motor recovery. The investigators further would like to translate the technologies from lab to home-based training. Thus, the investigators will conduct a randomized, controlled, primarily home-based clinical trial using an ankle robot alone or combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to treat sensorimotor and locomotion impairments post-stroke.

Conditions

Stroke

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The investigators have developed a novel robot-guided stretching under intelligent control and combine it with active movement training, which helped increase joint ROM, reduce spasticity and joint stiffness, increase muscle force output, and improve locomotion. However, for stroke survivors with sensorimotor impairment, their peripheral muscle may not sufficiently be recruited. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), has been shown its advantage to activate the peripheral muscles for people with neurological conditions. The investigators thus make a hybrid robot-FES rehabilitation system, combining the advantage of robot and FES technologies for stroke motor recovery. The investigators further would like to translate the technologies from lab to home-based training. Thus, the investigators will conduct a randomized, controlled, primarily home-based clinical trial using an ankle robot alone or combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to treat sensorimotor and locomotion impairments post-stroke.

Assessment Followed by Home-based Hybrid Robot + FES Rehabilitation Post-stroke

Hybrid Robot+FES Stroke Rehabilitation

Condition
Stroke
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Baltimore

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21201

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

  • * Age 18-85;
  • * Able to ambulate at least 10 meters without human assistance, with or without an assistive device
  • * ≥ 6 months post stroke;
  • * having a caregiver to assist in training at home.
  • * having expressive and receptive aphasia;
  • * an inability to follow multi-step commands;
  • * enrolled in another lower limb rehabilitation program;
  • * having severe pain in the paralyzed lower-limb;
  • * \>30º ankle plantar flexion contracture;
  • * Having implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker, spinal cord, or deep brain stimulator because FES may potentially interfere with their functions.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Maryland, Baltimore,

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31