Cognition as a Moderator of Motor Learning Post-stroke
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Status
- Recruiting
- Enrollment
- 65
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- step length asymmetry - change in performance
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This project seeks to determine how post-stroke cognitive impairment moderates motor learning during walking in older adults with chronic stroke and identify brain structural markers that mediate this relationship. The chosen experimental design integrates biomechanical analyses, neuropsychological assessments, and brain imaging techniques to determine the impact of post-stroke cognitive impairment severity on two forms of motor learning (explicit and implicit) and examine the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the relationship between cognition and explicit motor learning. Ultimately, this work may lead to the development of a more comprehensive, effective treatment approach to improve walking dysfunction in older adults post-stroke.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 45 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Unilateral stroke
- •Stroke occurred more than 6 months prior
- •Paresis confined to one side
- •Independently ambulatory (including the use of assistive devices)
- •Able to walk for 5 minutes without stopping
- •Answers no to all general health questions on the PAR-Q+
- •Willingness to complete study procedures
Exclusion Criteria
- •Brainstem or cerebellar stroke
- •Aphasia (expressive, receptive, or global)
- •Any major musculoskeletal or non-stroke neurological condition that interferes with the assessment of sensorimotor or cognitive function
- •Metal in the head (except in the mouth), implanted cranial or thoracic devices that violate MRI safety regulations
- •Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/110mmHg)
- •Concurrent physical therapy
- •Claustrophobia
- •Significant cognitive deficit or dementia (<20 on MoCA)
- •Inability to give informed consent
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
step length asymmetry - change in performance
Time Frame: Measured at three timepoints of interest within each testing session: baseline and at the beginning and end of the interventions; participants will complete 2 testing sessions over approximately 1 months
characterized as a comparison between the right and left step lengths; captured to quantify change in performance with biofeedback or split belt walking
Secondary Outcomes
- step length asymmetry - immediate retention(Measured after motor learning in each testing session; participants will complete 2 testing sessions over approximately 1 months)
Investigators
Kristan Leech
Principal Investigator
University of Southern California