BreEStim for Motor Recovery in Chronic Stroke

This pilot study is exploring a new treatment called BreEStim (Breathing-controlled electrical stimulation) to help people who have had a stroke. It aims to see if BreEStim can reduce stiffness (spasticity) in finger muscles and improve hand function. The study is also comparing BreEStim to standard electrical stimulation (EStim). You might be able to join if you are 18 to 75 years old, had a stroke at least 6 months ago, and have some finger stiffness. People with certain vision, hearing, or thinking problems, or lung disease, cannot participate. The study is currently unclear about its recruitment status and plans to enroll 4 participants.

Study design: This is an interventional pilot study with a planned enrollment of 4 participants. It is comparing two device interventions: BreEStim and EStim.
What's involved: You would receive either BreEStim or EStim for 10 to 20 minutes. Your finger stiffness will be measured at the start and 5 minutes after the intervention.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your finger stiffness will be measured 5 minutes after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

BreEStim for Motor Recovery in Chronic Stroke With Severe Impairment (Pilot)

Recruiting

NAAges 18–75InterventionalTreatment

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

~4 participants

Updated 2026-06-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:BreEStimEStim

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Change in finger flexor spasticity measured by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)

Measured over Baseline, 5 minutes after intervention

Conditions

Motor Recovery

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Texas1

Study leadership

Sheng Li, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Texas

Who to contact

Sheng Li, MD, PhD

[email protected]

(713) 797-7125

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

has post stroke ≥ 6 months , medically stable;

Unilateral, single stroke (no restriction on type (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or volume (large or small) of stroke);

MAS score ≥ 1, i.e., detectable finger flexor hypertonia;

Exclusion

Patients with visual deficit/neglect; hearing or cognitive impairment;

Patients with history of pulmonary disease (Asthma, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease, COPD);

Patients that are currently adjusting tone alternating medications (e.g., baclofen), or

Patients received botulinum toxin injection to the arm/fingers \<4 months, or phenol injections \< 2 years;

Patients with a pacemaker;

Women who are pregnant.

What this trial measures

Change in finger flexor spasticity measured by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)Baseline, 5 minutes after intervention
MAS will be performed to check changes of finger flexor spasticity after one session of treatment. The Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) scoring is categorical and ranges from 0 to 4, as follows: 0: No increase in muscle tone 1. Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch and release or by minimal resistance at the end of the range of motion when the affected part(s) is moved in flexion or extension 1+: Slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch, followed by minimal resistance throughout the remainder (less than half) of the range of motion (ROM) 2. More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affected part(s) easily moved 3. Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult 4. Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension

Trialytics