Wearable MCI to Reduce Muscle Co-activation in Acute and Chronic Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Chicago, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Northwestern UniversityChicago, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Northwestern University
- Trial code
- NCT03401762
- Record updated
- 8 April 2026
- Original description
The purpose of the study is to explore the feasibility of using a wearable device, called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI), to improve arm movement in people who have had a stroke.Read full original descriptionShow less
The purpose of the study is to explore the feasibility of using a wearable device, called a myoelectric-computer interface (MCI), to improve arm movement in people who have had a stroke.
Impaired arm movement after stroke is caused not just by weakness, but also by impaired coordination between joints due to abnormal co-activation of muscles. These abnormal co-activation patterns are thought to be due to abnormal movement planning.The MCI aims to reduce abnormal co-activation by providing feedback about individual muscle activations.
This randomized, controlled, blinded study will test the home use of an MCI in chronic and acute stroke survivors.
Inclusion: Chronic stroke participants; Hemiparesis from first ever stroke at least 6 months prior to screening; Severe motor impairment (FMA of 7-30); At least some voluntary shoulder and elbow muscle activation; Acute stroke participants; Hemiparesis from first ever stroke within the past 21 days; Severe motor impairment (FMA of 3-20), or total Manual Motor Score of 1-8 combined in Shoulder Abduction and Finger Extensors.
Exclusion: Cognitive impairment with at least moderately impaired attention, or unable to follow instructions of the MCI task; Visual impairment (such as hemianopia) preventing full view of the screen; Anesthesia or neglect in the affected arm, or visual hemineglect (score of 2 on the NIH Stroke Scale Extinction and Inattention subtest); Participation in another study on the affected arm within 6 weeks of enrollment or any pharmacological study; Inability to understand or follow commands in English due to aphasia or other reason; Diffuse or multifocal infarcts; Substantial arm pain preventing participation for 90 minutes a day; New spasticity treatment (pharmacological or Botox).