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Movement Amplification Gait Training for Walking Balance Post-Stroke

This study is testing a new way to improve walking balance for people who have had a chronic stroke (more than 6 months ago) and have weakness on one side. It uses "Movement Amplification Gait Training," which involves walking on a treadmill in different environments, including one that uses a robotic device to gently challenge your balance. The goal is to see if this training can help you better control your movements and improve your walking balance. Researchers will measure how much your body sways side-to-side while walking and your heart rate during the training. They hope to enroll 30 participants who are 18 to 80 years old and can walk at least 10 meters.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 30 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would participate in two 45-minute treadmill-based gait training sessions on separate days. You would also perform treadmill walking trials, each consisting of 400 steps, in different environments.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements of walking balance and heart rate are taken on Day 1 and seven days later during the training sessions.

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

NCT06400186

Movement Amplification Gait Training to Enhance Walking Balance Post-Stroke

Recruiting
NAAges 18–80InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~30 participants
Updated 2026-08-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:High intensity gait training in varying external environmentsTreadmill walking in varying external environments

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Lateral center of mass (COM) excursion during walking
Measured over Arm 1 only: On Day 1 of the study, participants will perform three 5-minute treadmill walking trials. We will measure Lateral COM excursion every gait cycle during each trial.
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

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Stroke

NCT06400186

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL

    Hines, Illinoisstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinoisstudy coordinator listed

    Not yet 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

  • Keith Edward Gordon, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL

Who to contact

Keith E Gordon, PhD
[email protected]
(708) 202-8387 · ext. 28387
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

History of chronic stroke (more than 6 months post-stroke) with weakness on one side
Ability to ambulate over ground for 10 meters with or without a single cane, and/or ankle-foot orthosis
Ability to tolerate 10 minutes of standing

Exclusion

Presence of cognitive impairment (score of 22/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA))
Presence of aphasia (score of 71/100 on the Mississippi Aphasia Screening Test (MAST))
Excessive spasticity in lower limbs (score of \> 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale
Severe cardiovascular and pulmonary disease affecting gait and balance
History of recurrent fractures or known orthopedic problems in the lower extremities (i.e. heterotopic ossification) affecting gait and balance
Concomitant central or peripheral neurological injury (i.e. traumatic head injury or peripheral nerve damage in lower limbs) affecting gait and balance
Evidence of cerebellar ataxia
Presence of unhealed decubiti or other skin compromise
Enrollment in concurrent physical therapy or research involving gait or balance training
Use of braces/orthotics crossing the knee joint
Known pregnancy

What this trial measures

  • Lateral center of mass (COM) excursion during walkingArm 1 only: On Day 1 of the study, participants will perform three 5-minute treadmill walking trials. We will measure Lateral COM excursion every gait cycle during each trial.

    Lateral COM excursion is the peak-to-peak distance the COM moves from side-to-side during a complete gait cycle. This distance is measured in meters. Smaller values indicate better ability to control motion during walking.

  • Minimum lateral margin of stabilityArm 1 only: On Day 1 of the study, participants will perform three 5-minute treadmill walking trials. We will measure minimum lateral margin of stability every gait cycle during each trial.

    Minimum lateral margin of stability is the smallest distance between the lateral extrapolated center of mass position (XCOM) and the lateral base of support (BOS), approximated as the lateral position of the 5th metatarsal marker on the side of the last initial contact. Minimum MOS is identified during stance phase of each step. Extrapolated center of mass (XCOM) position is calculated using: XCOM= COM + COM\* l/g The minimum lateral margin of stability is calculated in meters. Smaller values indicate greater ability to control motion during walking.

  • Heart RateArm 2 only: On Day 1, participants will perform 45 minutes of treadmill walking. Seven days later, participants will perform another 45 minutes of continuous treadmill walking. We will measure average HR during every 3-minutes of treadmill walking.

    Participants heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) will be collected to determine cardiovascular response to exercise. Larger heart rates will indicate a stronger cardiovascular response to exercise.

  • Perceived Exertion (RPE)Arm 2 only: On Day 1, participants will perform 45 minutes of treadmill walking. Seven days later, participants will perform another 45 minutes of continuous treadmill walking. We will measure average RPE during every 3-minutes of treadmill walking

    Participants exertion monitored via 6-20 point rate of perceived exertion scale and heart rate will be collected to determine participants performance during each training session and track their progress. Minimum score for perceived exertion is 6 and maximum score is 20. Higher score indicates greater exertion and lower score indicates less exertion.

  • Treadmill walking speedArm 2 only: On Day 1, participants will perform 45 minutes of treadmill walking. Seven days later, participants will perform another 45 minutes of continuous treadmill walking. We will measure average speed during every 3-minutes of treadmill walking

    Treadmill speed is a measure of how fast a person is walking on a treadmill. This measure is in units of meters/second. Higher values indicate faster walking speeds.

  • Number of StepsArm 2 only: On Day 1, participants will perform 45 minutes of treadmill walking. Seven days later, participants will perform another 45 minutes of continuous treadmill walking. We will measure the total number of steps during each day.

    An activity monitor worn on the ankle during treadmill walking will identify and record each time a person takes a step. A higher number will indicate a greater number of steps were taken.