PCMS Task After Moderate-to-severe Stroke

Description

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are conducting a research study to see how combining brain, nerve, and hand stimulation affect hand movement after stroke. The primary purpose of this study is to examine changes in the connection between the brain and the weak hand muscles after the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation. The primary hypothesis is that the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation will increase the the connection between the brain and the weak hand muscles. The secondary purpose of this study is to examine changes in weak hand's movement and function after the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation. The secondary hypothesis is that the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation will increase weak hand movement and function.

Conditions

Stroke

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are conducting a research study to see how combining brain, nerve, and hand stimulation affect hand movement after stroke. The primary purpose of this study is to examine changes in the connection between the brain and the weak hand muscles after the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation. The primary hypothesis is that the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation will increase the the connection between the brain and the weak hand muscles. The secondary purpose of this study is to examine changes in weak hand's movement and function after the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation. The secondary hypothesis is that the combined brain, nerve, and hand stimulation will increase weak hand movement and function.

Strengthening Task Specific Activation of Paretic Hand Muscles After moderate-to- Severe Chronic Stroke

PCMS Task After Moderate-to-severe Stroke

Condition
Stroke
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Salt Lake City

Neural Plasticity Rehabilitation and Movement Dynamics Lab, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84108

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

  • 1. Age between 18-85 years
  • 2. Diagnosis of first-ever subcortical stroke (single cerebrovascular accident)
  • 3. Stroke onset of at least six months prior to the time of participation
  • 4. A score of at least 1 out of 2 on the spherical grasping item of the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Subscale to allow participants to grasp the ball
  • 5. Cognitive skills to actively participate, as indicated by scores of \> 23 on the Mini-Mental Status Examination
  • 6. English speaking
  • 1. Inability to elicit a motor evoked potential (MEP) in the EDC muscle even with a 20% background muscle contraction
  • 2. Presence of severe aphasia
  • 3. Excessive spasticity of the wrist and finger muscles, defined as a Modified Ashworth Score \>2
  • 4. Diagnosis of neurological disorders other than stroke
  • 5. History of seizure or epilepsy
  • 6. Orthopedic/musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., arthritis) affecting the upper extremity
  • 7. Presence of metallic implants in the head or neck
  • 8. Currently or planning to become pregnant
  • 9. Difficulty maintaining alertness or remaining still
  • 10. Ferromagnetic metallic implants, pacemakers, other implanted devices, or ventilators for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • 11. Bodyweight \> 300 lbs due to MRI scanner dimensions (for subjects also undergoing MRI)
  • 12. Psychiatric diagnosis according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), or who are on psychotropic medication
  • 13. Life expectancy less than the duration of the study
  • 14. Excessive pain in the paretic hand, defined as a Visual Analog Scale Score \>4
  • 15. Participation in concurrent occupational therapy
  • 16. Current use of recreational drugs and stimulants like cocaine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Utah,

Amit Sethi, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Utah

Study Record Dates

2026-01-30