Cycling exercise and brain changes in leg recovery after a stroke
Studies interval cycling and brain scans in stroke survivors with weak legs.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Neuroplastic Changes Due to an Exercise Intervention That Aid in Lower Limb Recovery After Subcortical Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Atlanta, United StatesSee the 2 sites
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 80 years old?
Source: NCT07663292, who can take part
Where in United States
- Emory Rehabilitation HospitalAtlanta, United StatesTaking people
- Emory University HospitalAtlanta, 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
- Emory University
- Trial code
- NCT07663292
- Record updated
- 20 August 2026
- Original description
This study aims to develop imaging-based biomarkers to assess which chronic stroke participant with lower extremity disability may respond or resist high intensity interval training (HIIT).Read full original descriptionShow less
Neuroplastic Changes Due to an Exercise Intervention That Aid in Lower Limb Recovery After Subcortical Stroke
This study aims to develop imaging-based biomarkers to assess which chronic stroke participant with lower extremity disability may respond or resist high intensity interval training (HIIT).
Previous research suggests that physical exercise training is safe and could help improve the walking speed of non-ambulatory stroke survivors. However, inter-individual variability in response to exercise is extraordinarily high regardless of adherence, and predictors of response remain elusive.
Chronic stroke survivors with lower limb disability resulting in slow walking speeds will participate in 12 weeks of cycling exercise at Emory University under the guidance of a physical exercise instructor, 3 days a week, for 25-60 minutes. During some of the exercise sessions, the investigators will collect blood lactate with a finger prick. Brain scans with an MRI before and after the 12 weeks of exercise will be done; motor function tests that include walking, sitting down, standing up, and turning around will be collected. Participants' memory and thinking will be assessed, and participants will fill out questionnaires about their health before and after their stroke, and well as questions about their diet.
The participation will last between 14-16 weeks (up to 42 study visits).
Inclusion: chronic left or right subcortical stroke as defined by 6 months or more after a cardiovascular accident; lower extremity motor impairment due to stroke that causes a walking speed of less than 0.6 m/s during a 10m walk,; age 18-80 years old, and; Screen pass of the Stress test or Physician sign-off from the participant's health care team that they are cleared for a 12 week exercise intervention.
Exclusion: MRI contraindications, including implanted cardiac pacemakers and severe claustrophobia; any neurodegenerative condition other than stroke that may lead to lower extremity impairment; visual or auditory impairment that may hinder study procedures, and; any medical condition that would preclude from participation in a physical exercise intervention program.