fNIRS-Driven Visual Feedback Training to Restore Walking After Stroke

NCT ID: NCT07014891

Last Updated: 2025-06-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

44 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-12-15

Study Completion Date

2025-12-03

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The objective of this clinical trial is to investigate whether intelligent visual feedback-based lower limb motor control training is more effective than conventional rehabilitation training in promoting walking ability recovery among stroke patients with hemiplegia. The trial aims to address the primary question of the impact of intelligent visual feedback motor control training on the walking function of stroke patients with hemiplegia, and uses three-dimensional gait analysis for precise quantitative evaluation of therapeutic effects. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will be employed to explore patients' cerebral functional connectivity and cortical activation, and to analyze the correlation between fNIRS data and walking function scores (such as those from three-dimensional gait analysis), providing effective methods and a reliable reference basis for rehabilitation training of post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

Participants will be randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group receiving intelligent visual feedback motor control training, and the control group receiving Bobath ball training, 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for a total of four weeks. Before and after the treatment, indicators including fNIRS brain functional imaging, three-dimensional gait analysis, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment will be evaluated.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Stroke is an injury with a high disability rate, and in recent years, it has shown a trend of younger onset. Its common complication is hemiplegia of one side of the body, which affects the walking stability and coordination of patients and severely impairs their quality of life. Exploring treatment measures that can improve the walking function of stroke patients is of great significance. Clinical studies have found that the decline in knee joint control ability in hemiplegic patients is a key problem leading to the decline in walking function. Traditional training mostly uses manual operations by therapists, with limited effects. Moreover, the single - rehabilitation treatment takes a long time and has a high training intensity, resulting in most patients developing negative emotions such as irritability and anger during the training process, and having poor compliance with rehabilitation training.

The MRS - FS (Monitored Rehab Systems-Functional Squat) system is a horizontal squat weight - reduction device that simulates the human squatting motion. Patients can safely perform early lower - limb strength training in a lying - down position. The real - time electronic images presented by this system help correct abnormal postures of patients, strengthen motor control, and thus improve walking function. In addition, the gamified and task - oriented exercise training mode can evoke positive emotions, improve patients' compliance with rehabilitation training, and enhance the effectiveness of exercise training. Existing studies have confirmed that MRS - FS can effectively improve lower - limb function, provide real - time feedback, improve knee joint control ability, and correct hemiplegic gait. However, currently, there are relatively few randomized controlled trial studies in clinical applications for the rehabilitation treatment of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Therefore, the treatment plan and efficacy evaluation of this system for stroke patients with hemiplegia are the key points for further exploration in this study.

Research shows that the main mechanism of functional recovery after stroke is the plastic change of the central nervous system and the remodeling of brain function. Functional near - infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non - invasive, safe, and non - invasive imaging technique. It can accurately measure the changes in cerebral cortex activity by detecting the changes in blood oxygen levels in the cerebral cortex. Different from technologies such as X - ray and CT, fNIRS does not involve ionizing radiation. This study innovatively uses fNIRS to explore the brain functional connectivity and activation status that are affected by intelligent visual feedback motor control training on patients' walking function, and further observes the recovery of brain function. At the same time, three - dimensional gait analysis is used to accurately quantify gait characteristics, providing an effective treatment method for the rehabilitation training of stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Research process: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, if a patient meets the enrollment conditions of this trial and agrees to participate in this study, after signing the informed consent form, they will start to enter this study. The study period is 4 weeks. Assessments will be conducted before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment, including: near - infrared brain function imaging; three - dimensional gait analysis; Fugl - Meyer Assessment - Lower Extremity. The treatment of patients may include intelligent visual feedback motor control training / Bobath ball training. Treatment grouping: Subjects will be randomly grouped, and each subject has an equal probability of being assigned to any group. There are two groups in total: Group A: Intelligent visual feedback motor control training (MRS - FS); Group B: Bobath ball training.

1. MRS - FS: The training includes six levels: random response, isometric contraction, random burst, control path, control position, and random deceleration. During the training process, the load of exercise training can be adjusted according to the patient's functional status and tolerance. It is carried out once a day, 20 minutes each time, 5 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks of treatment.
2. Bobath ball: Specifically, it includes: ①In the supine position, the heel controls the ball to move back and forth; ② In the supine position, both feet step on the ball to perform a stepping motion, etc. It is carried out once a day, 20 minutes each time, 5 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks of treatment. For the randomized study: Patients may be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to Group A or Group B. Assessments will be carried out before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Stroke

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Intelligent Visual Feedback Motor Control Training

Patients receive motor control training using the Intelligent Visual Feedback Motor Control Training System (Monitored Rehab Systems B.V., 2031 CW Haarlem, The Netherlands), with the Monitored Rehab Systems-Functional Squat selected for training. The patient is in a supine position, with both feet fixed at the correct position on the pushing training board. The relative position of the patient is displayed on the computer screen. The system uses the height, length, and size of images to represent the degree of joint flexion/extension and the duration of muscle contraction, while the speed of moving images reflects the speed of joint movement and muscle contraction during exercise. Patients complete various simulated actions through interactive video games. The load of exercise training can be adjusted according to the patient's functional status and tolerance. The training is conducted once a day, 20 minutes each time, 5 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Intelligent Visual Feedback Motor Control Training

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients receive motor control training using the intelligent training system (Monitored Rehab Systems B.V., 2031 CW Haarlem, The Netherlands). The Monitored Rehab Systems-Functional Squat is selected for lower - limb motor control training. The patient assumes a supine position, with both feet fixed at the correct position on the pushing - training board. The relative position of the patient can be displayed on the computer screen. The system represents the degree of joint flexion and extension and the duration of muscle contraction through the height, length, and size of images, while the speed of moving images reflects the speed of joint movement during exercise. Patients complete various simulated actions through interactive video games. During the training, the load of exercise training can be adjusted according to the patient's functional status and tolerance. The training is conducted once a day, 20 minutes per session, five times a week, for a total of four weeks.

Bobath Ball Training

Bobath Ball Training Specific operations include: ① In the supine position, the heel controls the ball to move back and forth; ② In the supine position, both feet step on the ball to perform stepping movements, etc. The training is conducted 1 session daily, 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for a total of 4 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Bobath Ball Training

Intervention Type DEVICE

Bobath Ball Training Specific operations include: ① In the supine position, the heel controls the ball to move back and forth; ② In the supine position, both feet step on the ball to perform stepping movements, etc. The training is conducted 1 session daily, 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for a total of 4 weeks.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Intelligent Visual Feedback Motor Control Training

Patients receive motor control training using the intelligent training system (Monitored Rehab Systems B.V., 2031 CW Haarlem, The Netherlands). The Monitored Rehab Systems-Functional Squat is selected for lower - limb motor control training. The patient assumes a supine position, with both feet fixed at the correct position on the pushing - training board. The relative position of the patient can be displayed on the computer screen. The system represents the degree of joint flexion and extension and the duration of muscle contraction through the height, length, and size of images, while the speed of moving images reflects the speed of joint movement during exercise. Patients complete various simulated actions through interactive video games. During the training, the load of exercise training can be adjusted according to the patient's functional status and tolerance. The training is conducted once a day, 20 minutes per session, five times a week, for a total of four weeks.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Bobath Ball Training

Bobath Ball Training Specific operations include: ① In the supine position, the heel controls the ball to move back and forth; ② In the supine position, both feet step on the ball to perform stepping movements, etc. The training is conducted 1 session daily, 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for a total of 4 weeks.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* 1: Vital signs are stable, with no severe cardiopulmonary diseases, making the patient suitable for exercise testing.

2: All patients are diagnosed with stroke by head CT or MRI, with clinical manifestations of unilateral limb hemiplegia.

3: The Brunnstrom stage of the lower limb is 3-5, quadriceps muscle strength is ≥ grade 3, modified Ashworth scale for the lower limb is \< grade 2, and Hoffer walking scale is ≥ grade 2.

4: This is their first onset of the disease, with a disease course of ≤ 6 months, and the condition is stable.

5: Patients have no severe cognitive impairment or sensory aphasia, can understand and actively participate in the training program, and have provided informed consent by signing the consent form for this clinical study.

6: Age: 18-75 years old, no gender restrictions.

Exclusion Criteria

* 1: Patients with tumors, tuberculosis, hematological diseases, or functional impairments of vital organs such as the heart or liver.

2: Those with lower limb musculoskeletal disorders, such as knee arthritis or lower limb fractures.

3: Individuals with severe abnormal muscle tone in the limbs or joint contracture deformities.

4: Patients experiencing severe pain that prevents them from tolerating physical activity.

5: Special populations, such as individuals with mental illnesses, breastfeeding women, or pregnant women.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Shengjing Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Xue Jiang

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Xue Jiang

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Shengjing Hospital

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University

Shenyang, Liaoning, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

China

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Xue Jiang

Role: CONTACT

+8618940254064

Yan Chi

Role: CONTACT

+8615241806025

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Xue Jiang

Role: primary

+86 189 4025 4064

Yan Chi

Role: backup

+86 15241806025

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Ferrari M, Quaresima V. A brief review on the history of human functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) development and fields of application. Neuroimage. 2012 Nov 1;63(2):921-35. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.03.049. Epub 2012 Mar 28.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 22510258 (View on PubMed)

Lin CH, Chou LW, Luo HJ, Tsai PY, Lieu FK, Chiang SL, Sung WH. Effects of Computer-Aided Interlimb Force Coupling Training on Paretic Hand and Arm Motor Control following Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 20;10(7):e0131048. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131048. eCollection 2015.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26193492 (View on PubMed)

Takahashi MTC, Balardin JB, Bazan PR, Boasquevisque DS, Amaro Junior E, Conforto AB. Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation in the initial weeks post-stroke: a pilot randomized study. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2024 Jun 24;22:eAO0450. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0450. eCollection 2024.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 38922218 (View on PubMed)

Cohen EJ, Quarta E, Bravi R, Granato A, Minciacchi D. Neural plasticity and network remodeling: From concepts to pathology. Neuroscience. 2017 Mar 6;344:326-345. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.12.048. Epub 2017 Jan 7.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 28069532 (View on PubMed)

Schnautz LS. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America. Cardiovascular disease in women. Preface. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2008 Sep;20(3):xi-xii. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2008.03.015. No abstract available.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 18644505 (View on PubMed)

Jarvis HL, Brown SJ, Price M, Butterworth C, Groenevelt R, Jackson K, Walker L, Rees N, Clayton A, Reeves ND. Return to Employment After Stroke in Young Adults: How Important Is the Speed and Energy Cost of Walking? Stroke. 2019 Nov;50(11):3198-3204. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.025614. Epub 2019 Sep 26.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31554503 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

2024PS1843K

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Motor Imagery Ability After Stroke
NCT03661073 COMPLETED NA