Motor Learning for Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke

NCT ID: NCT05765474

Last Updated: 2025-09-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 28 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-03-22
• Study Completion Date: 2024-02-16

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research is to learn about practice conditions that may benefit stroke survivors when learning to use their more affected arm to perform a task. Participants will be randomized into two groups. Experimental and control groups will differ by one practice variable that will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures. Participants will practice a motor task using both their more and less affected arms for two consecutive days. A Pre-Test will be administered on Day 1 before the training begins. Immediate Transfer of Learning will be administered on Day 2 after the completion of training. Delayed (24-hour) Retention and Transfer Tests will be administered on Day 3.

Detailed Description

Stroke involves loss of blood flow to the brain and can cause impaired upper limb motor function, resulting in long term disability. Targeted motor learning interventions can improve skill acquisition and functional upper limb use after stroke. For example, repetitive practice of a motor task has been shown to improve motor learning outcomes. However, more research is currently needed to identify important active ingredients in complex motor learning interventions and determine the most effective approaches for improving upper limb recovery after stroke. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a specific practice variable on motor learning for individuals with upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. This research will inform the development of future stroke rehabilitation interventions aimed at improving skill acquisition and motor learning.

Conditions

Stroke; Hemiparesis

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Training with Practice Variable

All participants will practice a motor task (the Scooping Task) for 2 consecutive days. Each day of training, participants will complete 50 trials (10 blocks of 5 trials each) with their more affected arm and 20 trials (10 blocks of 2 trials each) with their less affected arm. One trial of the task will involve using a spoon to scoop beans, one at a time, from one cup to another while seated at a table. Participants will be asked to complete as many scoops as possible from the cup closest to them to the cup farthest from them within 30 seconds in an anterior-posterior direction. One successful repetition occurs when at least one bean is transferred. The number of successful repetitions within a 30 second trial is then counted. Training for the experimental group will include the practice variable of interest.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Practice Variable

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

This group receives the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

Training without Practice Variable

All participants will practice a motor task (the Scooping Task) for 2 consecutive days. Each day of training, participants will complete 50 trials (10 blocks of 5 trials each) with their more affected arm and 20 trials (10 blocks of 2 trials each) with their less affected arm. One trial of the task will involve using a spoon to scoop beans, one at a time, from one cup to another while seated at a table. Participants will be asked to complete as many scoops as possible from the cup closest to them to the cup farthest from them within 30 seconds in an anterior-posterior direction. One successful repetition occurs when at least one bean is transferred. The number of successful repetitions within a 30 second trial is then counted. Training for the control group will not include the practice variable of interest.

Group Type: OTHER

No Practice Variable

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

This group does not receive the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

Interventions

Practice Variable

This group receives the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

No Practice Variable

This group does not receive the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• At least 6 months following stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
• Upper limb weakness resulting from the stroke
• Able to follow 2-step commands
• Box and Block test score of 3-60
• Intact proprioception at the index finger of the weaker arm
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

• Severe neglect (Score of 2 on extinction and inattention items of NIHSS)
• Arm pain that limits movement or loss of functional range of movement (contracture)
• Unable to give informed consent
• Received Botox within the past 3-months

• Minimum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Columbia University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Dawn Nilsen

Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Dawn Nilsen, EdD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Columbia University

Locations

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

New York, New York, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

AAAU1704

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id