Electrical Stimulation and Home Exercise to Regain Finger Extension After Stroke
Tests muscle stimulation with home exercise in adults after stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Potential for Recovery of Voluntary Finger Extension After Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- London, United KingdomSee the site
Where in United Kingdom
- University College London- Department of Clinical and Movement NeurosciencesLondon, United KingdomNo longer taking part
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 College, London
- Trial code
- NCT07592247
- Record updated
- 18 May 2026
- Original description
Stroke patients with absent voluntary finger extension (VFE) 6-months after stroke are not expected to recover hand function. However, experience from the Queen Square Upper Limb neurorehabilitation service contradicts this view. In this study, we will identify the characteristics of those chronic stroke patients who regain previously absent VFE.Read full original descriptionShow less
Potential for Recovery of Voluntary Finger Extension After Stroke
Stroke patients with absent voluntary finger extension (VFE) 6-months after stroke are not expected to recover hand function. However, experience from the Queen Square Upper Limb neurorehabilitation service contradicts this view. In this study, we will identify the characteristics of those chronic stroke patients who regain previously absent VFE.
Hundred chronic stroke patients will be recruited with absent/negligible VFE in an external pilot and feasibility study. Transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to determine the functional integrity of descending white matter pathways. Corticospinal tract integrity to finger extensor muscles will be based on whether motor-evoked potentials are present (MEP+) or absent (MEP-). Reticulospinal tract activity will be assessed by measuring ipsilateral MEP amplitudes and the Start-React response.
All patients will then receive 3-months of neuromuscular electrical stimulation plus home exercise, designed to strengthen wrist/finger extensors, reduce spasticity and increase corticospinal excitability. The primary outcome measure will be restoration of VFE.
It is predicted that VFE will be restored in MEP+ but not MEP- patients. MEP- patients will have higher reticulospinal tract activity associated with spasticity. Restoration of VFE will allow patients to engage in evidence-based upper limb training to improve function e.g. constraint induced movement therapy or repetitive task training.
Inclusion: Diagnosed with a Stroke >6 months previously; Medical Research Council (MRC) grade 0 or 1 in long finger extensors.
Exclusion: Botulinum toxin to long finger or wrist flexors < 24 weeks prior to pre-treatment assessment (i.e. effects should have worn off); Presence of spasticity in any wrist/finger flexors (including lumbricals) >2 on Modified Ashworth Scale; Unable to get hand flat on table top.