Brain Activity During Forward and Backward Walking After Stroke
Studies brain activity while people with chronic stroke walk forward and backward.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Cortical Activation During Walking in Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Taipei, TaiwanSee 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 20 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT06840405, who can take part
Where in Taiwan
- Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipei, TaiwanTaking 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
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
- Trial code
- NCT06840405
- Record updated
- 12 June 2025
- Original description
After stroke, damage to one cerebral hemisphere disrupts the normal balance of activity between the two hemispheres. The affected hemisphere typically exhibits reduced excitability, whereas the unaffected side may demonstrate increased excitability. This phenomenon, referred to as interhemispheric imbalance, further inhibits activity in the affected hemisphere, thereby restricting motor recovery. According to the interhemispheric competition model, enhancing excitability in the affected hemisphere and/or suppressing excitability in the unaffected hemisphere may contribute to the improvement of motor function in individuals with stroke. Furthermore, as motor function recovers, the balance of interhemispheric activation in motor-related cortical areas undergoes corresponding changes. Previous studies have shown that treadmill training enhances the excitability of the primary motor cortex in both hemispheres of stroke patients, as well as increases excitability across multiple cortical and subcortical regions in both hemispheres. However, it remains unclear whether treadmill training can normalize the interhemispheric imbalance in stroke patients. Additionally, the effects of forward and backward walking on the activity of motor-related brain regions in individuals with stroke are still unclear. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to investigate the changes in motor-related brain activity during forward walking and backward walking in individuals with chronic stroke.Read full original descriptionShow less
Cortical Activation During Forward and Backward Walking in Individuals With Chronic Stroke
After stroke, damage to one cerebral hemisphere disrupts the normal balance of activity between the two hemispheres. The affected hemisphere typically exhibits reduced excitability, whereas the unaffected side may demonstrate increased excitability. This phenomenon, referred to as interhemispheric imbalance, further inhibits activity in the affected hemisphere, thereby restricting motor recovery. According to the interhemispheric competition model, enhancing excitability in the affected hemisphere and/or suppressing excitability in the unaffected hemisphere may contribute to the improvement of motor function in individuals with stroke. Furthermore, as motor function recovers, the balance of interhemispheric activation in motor-related cortical areas undergoes corresponding changes. Previous studies have shown that treadmill training enhances the excitability of the primary motor cortex in both hemispheres of stroke patients, as well as increases excitability across multiple cortical and subcortical regions in both hemispheres. However, it remains unclear whether treadmill training can normalize the interhemispheric imbalance in stroke patients. Additionally, the effects of forward and backward walking on the activity of motor-related brain regions in individuals with stroke are still unclear. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to investigate the changes in motor-related brain activity during forward walking and backward walking in individuals with chronic stroke.
Inclusion: ≥ 6 months after the diagnosis of stroke; Independent walking over at least 7m with or without a walking aid; Mini-mental state examination score ≥ 24.
Exclusion: Any neuromuscular disorders history; With visual or auditory disorders; Unstable cardiac status or uncontrolled hypertension; Any musculoskeletal disorders that would affect walking ability; Had difficulty in backward walking.