Combined Electrical Stimulation for Foot Drop After Stroke
This study is looking at whether combining two types of electrical stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES), can help people who have difficulty lifting their toes after a stroke. tDCS involves placing pads on your scalp to deliver electrical stimulation, while FES uses pads on your leg. During treatment sessions, you will also do leg exercises. The study aims to see if this combination improves how high you can lift your toes (minimum toe clearance) and how fast you can walk (gait speed). To join, you must be at least 18, had a stroke more than 6 months ago that affects your ankle, and can walk independently for 15 minutes. About 30 people are expected to participate.
- 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 have 12 training sessions over 6 to 8 weeks, which include electrical stimulation and gait training. Assessments will occur before the intervention and 2-3 days after the final session.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your progress will be measured 2-3 days after the 12th and final intervention, which is 6-8 weeks after the start of the intervention.
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Combined Functional Electrical and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Foot Drop
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Gregory Thielman, EdD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Saint Joseph's University
Who to contact
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?
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Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- minimum toe clearanceA pretest at baseline 2-3 days prior to the start of the intervention and then after 12 training sessions (between 6 and 8 weeks) posttests will occur 2-3 days after the 12th and final intervention is completed.
For the motion capture, participants were fitted with a modified Cleveland Clinic marker set where 4 clusters of 4 markers were attached to the thighs and shanks, and wand-mounted markers were also attached bilaterally to the anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS) and the sacrum. Additionally, seven 14 mm reflective markers were attached to the shoe at the upper ridge of the posterior surface of the calcaneus, sustentaculum tali, and lateral aspect of the calcaneus (peroneal tubercle); the heads of the first, second, and fifth metatarsals (MET); and the tip of the shoe/second digit if barefooted. Scores will vary by participant, and the key finding is the change in score from pre- to post-testing, indicating whether or not the intervention effected this change. Minimum value is 10 mm, max value is 40 mm, with a higher score indicating better and safer clearance.
- Gait speedA pretest at baseline 2-3 days prior to the start of the intervention and then a posttest 2-3 days after the 12th and final intervention is completed, 6-8 weeks after the start of the intervention.
time for participants to traverse 10 meters. It is expected that post-training a lower score will be recorded, indicating faster walking and improved speed as a result of the intervention.