Tests electrical muscle stimulation on the leg for balance in chronic stroke
Tests leg electrical stimulation for balance and walking in adults with stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effect of NMES on Balance and Fall Risk in Chronic Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Chicago, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 90 years old?
Source: NCT04957355, who can take part
Where in United States
- University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, 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
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Trial code
- NCT04957355
- Record updated
- 22 May 2026
- Original description
The aim of this study is to describe the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in the form of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to different lower limb muscles on reactive balance and gait performance in stroke participants.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on Reactive Balance, Gait and Fall-risk in Individuals With Stroke
The aim of this study is to describe the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in the form of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to different lower limb muscles on reactive balance and gait performance in stroke participants.
Methods: Twenty individuals with chronic stroke will be asked to perform an experimental protocol that includes a postural disturbance in the form of a slip- or trip-like perturbation and a standardized walking test in both laboratory and outdoor environments with and without FES applied to different lower limb muscles of the paretic leg. FES will be applied using an advanced software that is able to synchronize muscle activation with the time of perturbation onset and according to the phases of gait.
This project design aims to examine whether a specific pattern of lower limb muscle stimulation could improve the kinematic and behavioral responses during reactive balance following slip- and trip-like perturbations. Additionally, the project aims to see if the kinematic and spatio-temporal gait parameters can be modified during a standardized walking test under different sensory and environmental conditions.
Inclusion: Age group: 18-90 years; Presence of hemiparesis; Onset of stroke (> 6 months); Ability to walk independently with or without an assistive device for at least 300 ft; Can understand and communicate in English; Cognitively and behaviorally capable of complying with the regimen (Montreal Cognitive Assessment > 25/30).
Exclusion: Recent major surgery (< 6 months) or hospitalization (< 3 months); Any neurological condition other than stroke; Deep venous thrombosis; Antecedent of cancer; Uncontrolled high blood pressure/angina; Skin condition not tolerant with FES therapy; Uncontrolled seizure disorder; History of epilepsy; Subjects will not proceed with the test if any of the following occurs at baseline measurement: 1) HR > 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HRmax) (HRmax = 220 - age), 2) systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 165 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 110 mmHg during rest, or 3) oxygen saturation (measured by pulse oximeter) < 95% during rest; Body weight more than 250 lbs; Any cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, or systemic diagnosis; Peripheral nerve injury or neuropathy in the affected limb with motor disability; Spasticity (Ashworth scale > 2); Botox treatment within the last 5 months; Pacemaker users; Excluded or Vulnerable Populations Non-English speaking populations will be excluded as the consent procedures and instructions will be in English.