Reflex Excitability in Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the reflex excitability of the rectus femoris in individuals with and without post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait. We use electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerve innervating the rectus femoris for a well-controlled reflex stimulus. We are investigating whether reflex excitability of the rectus femoris correlates with gait kinematics.

Conditions

  • Stroke
  • Chronic Stroke
  • Gait, Hemiplegic
  • Gait, Spastic
  • Gait Disorder, Sensorimotor
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic
  • Walking, Difficulty

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Aged at least 18 - Premorbidly independent - If post-stroke, mild to moderate impairment determined by standard practices per the physical therapist - Able to continuously walk for 30 minutes - If post-stroke, reduced knee flexion during walking relative to unimpaired side - If post-stroke, hemiparesis - Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

  • No history of serious lower limb musculoskeletal injury - No functionally relevant osteoarthritis and weight-bearing restrictions - No functionally relevant polyneuropathy - No functionally relevant cognitive impairment - No functionally relevant vision impairment

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait Participants 		Individuals with post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait
  • Other: Peripheral nerve stimulation
    Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves to measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity
Experimental
Healthy Individuals 		Healthy Individuals
  • Other: Peripheral nerve stimulation
    Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves to measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity
  • Device: Commercial knee brace
    Knee brace used to limit knee mobility in healthy individuals to imitate stroke survivors and measure resulting gait kinematics and surface muscle activity.

Recruiting Locations

MetroHealth Medical Center
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
Contact:
James S Sulzer, PhD
512-541-9036
jss280@case.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
MetroHealth Medical Center

Study Contact

James Sulzer, PhD
5125419036
jss280@case.edu

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of hyperreflexia in post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait function. In one aim,