What this study is
This project seeks to determine how post-stroke cognitive impairment moderates motor learning during walking in older adults with chronic stroke and identify brain structural markers that mediate this relationship. The chosen experimental design integrates biomechanical analyses, neuropsychological assessments, and brain imaging techniques to determine the impact of post-stroke cognitive impairment severity on two forms of motor learning (explicit and implicit) and examine the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the relationship between cognition and explicit motor learning. Ultimately, this work may lead to the development of a more comprehensive, effective treatment approach to improve walking dysfunction in older adults post-stroke.
What's being tested
- Explicit motor learning
Intervention · BEHAVIORAL
Participants will be provided with visual feedback of their right and left step lengths on a screen in front of a treadmill.
- Implicit motor learning
Intervention · BEHAVIORAL
Participants will walk on a treadmill that drives their right and left legs to move at two different speeds.
Study details
- Official title
- Cognition as a Moderator of Motor Learning Post-stroke
- Sponsor
- University of Southern California
- Conditions
- Stroke · CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)
- Enrolling
- 65 people
- Starts
- 2023-01-16
- Est. completion
- 2026-12-14
- Design
- Open-label, single group, Early Phase 1
- Record
- View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Who can join
Age 45 Years – 85 YearsSex ALLHealthy volunteers Not acceptedYou may qualify if
- Unilateral stroke
- Stroke occurred more than 6 months prior
- Paresis confined to one side
- Independently ambulatory (including the use of assistive devices)
- Able to walk for 5 minutes without stopping
- Answers no to all general health questions on the PAR-Q+
- Willingness to complete study procedures
You can't join if
- Brainstem or cerebellar stroke
- Aphasia (expressive, receptive, or global)
- Any major musculoskeletal or non-stroke neurological condition that interferes with the assessment of sensorimotor or cognitive function
- Metal in the head (except in the mouth), implanted cranial or thoracic devices that violate MRI safety regulations
- Uncontrolled hypertension (>160/110mmHg)
- Concurrent physical therapy
- Claustrophobia
- Significant cognitive deficit or dementia (<20 on MoCA)
- Inability to give informed consent
Sign in and we'll check these against your records.Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Study locations (1)
1 openCenter for Health Professions
Los Angeles, California, United States
- Kristan Leech, PT, DPT, PhD · Contact3124421583
Recruiting
Study team
Sponsor
University of Southern California
Study ID APP-21-00898
Principal investigator
Kristan Leech, PT, DPT, PhD
University of Southern California
Frequently asked questions
The sponsor hasn't published answers to common questions for this trial.