Exercise Primed Stroke Rehabilitation Study

This study is exploring if aerobic exercise can improve recovery for people who have had a stroke. Researchers are testing if combining aerobic exercise with a rehabilitation game called Duck Duck Punch (DDP) helps improve arm movement more than other approaches. Duck Duck Punch is a computer game designed to improve arm movement using Microsoft Kinect technology. You may be able to join if you are 50-90 years old, have experienced a stroke at least 6 months ago affecting one side of your body, and have some arm movement. The study aims to see how much your upper arm impairment changes after about 8 weeks. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 40 participants.

Study design: This interventional study plans to enroll 40 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved: Participants will either perform 15 minutes of aerobic exercise or 15 minutes of lower extremity stretching. Following this, participants will play the Duck Duck Punch game.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: The primary outcome, change in upper extremity impairment, will be measured at approximately 8 weeks.

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

Exercise Primed Stroke Rehabilitation

Recruiting

EARLY_PHASE1Ages 50–90InterventionalTreatment

VA Office of Research and Development

~40 participants

Updated 2026-01-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Duck Duck PunchAerobic exerciseLower extremity stretching

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 from baseline upper extremity impairment assessed by the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE)

Measured over Approximately 8 weeks

Conditions

Stroke

NCT04877444

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolinastudy coordinator listed
Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

Ryan E Ross, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC

Who to contact

Ryan E Ross, PhD

[email protected]

(843) 792-3477

Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

experienced unilateral stroke at least 6 months prior;

voluntarily shoulder flexion of the affected arm 20 degrees with simultaneous elbow extension 10 degrees;

moderate arm movement impairment (UE Fugl-Meyer Assessment \> 21 but \< 52 points;

passive range of motion in paretic shoulder, elbow, wrist, thumb and fingers within 20 degrees of normal;

50-90 years of age;

ability to communicate as per the therapists' judgement at baseline testing;

ability to complete and pass an exercise tolerance test; 8) Box \& Block test score of at least 3 blocks in 60 seconds with the affected arm.

Exclusion

lesion in brainstem/cerebellum as these may interfere with visual-perceptual/cognitive skills needed for motor re-learning;

presence of other neurological disease that may impair motor learning skills;

orthopedic condition or impaired corrected vision that alters reaching ability (e.g., prior rotator cuff tear without full recovery);

paretic arm pain that interferes with reaching;

unable to understand or follow 3-step directions;

severe cognitive impairment (MoCA score 17);

severe aphasia;

inability to read English,

history of congestive heart failure, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during ADL's;

Severe hypertension with systolic \>200 mmHg and diastolic \>110 mmHg at rest;

History of COPD or oxygen dependence;

History of DVT or pulmonary embolism within 6 months;

Uncontrolled diabetes with recent weight loss, diabetic coma, or frequent insulin reactions;

UBACC score \< 15; and for brain stimulation procedures only:

electronic or metallic implants;

history of seizures;

women of child bearing potential.

What this trial measures

Change from baseline upper extremity impairment assessed by the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE)Approximately 8 weeks
The FMA-UE is a 33-item measure of UE impairment; however, the 3 items testing reflex response will not be administered because they do not measure a voluntary movement construct. Each item will be scored on a 3-point rating scale (0=unable, 1=partial 2=near normal performance), item ratings will be summed and reported out of 60 points so that larger numbers indicate greater UE motor ability.

Trialytics