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Effects of an Overground Propulsion Neuroprosthesis in Community-dwelling Individuals After Stroke

Early Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Device: Propulsion Neuroprosthesis
Registration Number
NCT06459401
Lead Sponsor
Boston University Charles River Campus
Brief Summary

This interventional study evaluates the effects of an overground propulsion neuroprosthesis that delivers adaptive neurostimulation assistance to the paretic plantarflexors and dorsiflexors of people post-stroke. Individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis will walk with and without the neuroprosthesis overground and on a treadmill. The goal of the study is to understand how adaptive neurostimulation delivered by the neuroprosthesis affects clinical and biomechanical measures of walking function in order to guide future rehabilitation approaches for restoring walking ability after stroke.

Detailed Description

This interventional study evaluates the effects of an overground propulsion neuroprosthesis that delivers adaptive neurostimulation assistance to the paretic plantarflexors and dorsiflexors of people post-stroke. Individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis will walk with and without the neuroprosthesis overground and on a treadmill. The goal of the study is to understand how adaptive neurostimulation delivered by the neuroprosthesis affects clinical and biomechanical measures of walking function in order to guide future rehabilitation approaches for restoring walking ability after stroke.

Ten individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis will complete a single session of walking with and without the neuroprosthesis. Study evaluations will be conducted both before and after the session, without the neuroprosthesis active, and during the neuroprosthesis-supported walking.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of a stroke event occurring at least 6 months ago
  • Observable gait deficits
  • Independent ambulation for at least 30 meters (using an assistive device as needed but without a rigid brace or ankle foot orthosis)
  • Passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion to neutral with the knee extended
  • Ability to follow a 3-step command
  • Resting heart rate between 40-100 bpm
  • Resting blood pressure between 90/60 and 170/90 mmHg
  • NIH Stroke Scale Question 1b score > 1 and Question 1c score > 0
  • HIPAA Authorization to allow communication with healthcare provider
  • Medical clearance by a physician
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • Severe aphasia or inability to communicate with investigators
  • Neglect or hemianopia
  • Serious comorbidities that may interfere with ability to participate in the research (e.g. musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary)
  • Pacemakers or similar electrical implants that could be affected by electrical stimulation
  • Metal implants directly under the stimulation sites
  • Pressure ulcers or skin wounds located near human-device interface sites
  • More than 2 unexplained falls in the previous month
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Neuroprosthesis-Assisted Walking EvaluationPropulsion NeuroprosthesisParticipants with chronic stroke will perform a series of short overground walking evaluations at a self-selected fast walking speed with the neuroprosthesis powered and unpowered. When the neuroprosthesis is powered, it provides active neurostimulation assistance for foot clearance and propulsion. When the neuroprosthesis is unpowered, it is worn by the participant but does not provide active assistance.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Paretic Propulsion with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Paretic propulsion is measured as the peak anterior-posterior ground reaction force of the paretic limb.

Walking Speed without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Walking speed is measured at self-selected comfortable and fast paces using the 10-Meter Walk Test.

Propulsion Impulse without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Propulsion impulse is measured as the area under the positive portion of the anterior-posterior ground reaction force curve.

Propulsion Impulse with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Propulsion impulse is measured as the area under the positive portion of the anterior-posterior ground reaction force curve.

Propulsion Symmetry without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Propulsion symmetry is calculated as the propulsion impulse of the paretic limb divided by the total propulsion impulse (paretic + nonparetic).

Propulsion Symmetry with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Propulsion symmetry is calculated as the propulsion impulse of the paretic limb divided by the total propulsion impulse (paretic + nonparetic).

Walking Speed with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Walking speed is measured at self-selected comfortable and fast paces using the 10-Meter Walk Test.

Paretic Propulsion without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Paretic propulsion is measured as the peak anterior-posterior ground reaction force of the paretic limb.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ankle Power without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Ankle power is the rate of change in ankle moment measured using optical motion capture.

Ankle Moment without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Ankle moment is the rotation force of the foot measured using optical motion capture.

Ankle Angle without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Ankle angle is the angle between the foot and the shank measured using optical motion capture.

Ankle Angle with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Ankle angle is the angle between the foot and the shank measured using optical motion capture.

Knee Angle without neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Knee angle is the angle between the shank and the thigh measured using optical motion capture.

Knee Angle with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Knee angle is the angle between the shank and the thigh measured using optical motion capture.

Ankle Moment with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Ankle moment is the rotation force of the foot measured using optical motion capture.

Ankle Power with neurostimulation assistanceDuring session 10-meter walk test

Ankle power is the rate of change in ankle moment measured using optical motion capture.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Science and Engineering Complex

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Neuromotor Recovery Laboratory

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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