Can Arm and Leg Cycling Exercise Improve Walking After Stroke

Cerebrovascular Accident Clinical Trial

Official title:

Can Arm and Leg Cycling Exercise Improve Walking After Stroke?

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02316405
• Other study ID #: D015017-2011-2014
• Secondary ID: 123456
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• First received: December 9, 2014
• Last updated: December 11, 2014
• Start date: July 2011
• Est. completion date: December 2015

Study information

• Verified date: December 2014
• Source: University of Victoria
• Contact: E P Zehr, Doctorate
• Phone: (250) 472-5487
• Email: rnl[@]uvic.ca
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Canadian Institutes of Health ResearchCanada: Ethics Review Committee
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

It has been found that arm and leg cycling is similar to walking. Thus, the objective of this research is to determine if arm and leg cycling can be used to improve walking ability in a post-stroke population. This outcome would directly impact the health and quality of life for those who have suffered a stroke.

Description:

It has been found that arm and leg cycling is similar to walking in terms of the muscle activation patterns, joint ranges of motion, and neural pathways activated. Another advantage of arm and leg cycling is that it involves coordination of all four limbs in a rhythmic movement. This may be particularly beneficial given previous findings that arm movement contributes to the activation of leg muscles during walking in humans. This is achieved with interconnected neural pathways that link the arms to the legs. These neural interlimb connections remain intact in stroke victims, such that maximizing the contribution of the arms to the legs may increase coordination for walking.

Thus, the objective of this research is to determine if arm and leg cycling can be used to increase the strength of inter-limb connections and if this helps to improve walking ability in a post-stroke population. 15-20 participants will be recruited to participate in a five week training intervention where measures will be taken before and after the intervention to assess efficacy. Arm and leg cycling could provide a novel method to improve inter-limb coupling and walking ability. These outcomes would directly impact the health and quality of life for those who have suffered a stroke.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 20
• Est. completion date: December 2015
• Est. primary completion date: December 2014
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cerebrovascular accident

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to stand

Study Design

Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cerebrovascular Accident
• Stroke

Intervention

Other:
• Arm and Leg Cycling Exercise for Walking after Stroke

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	MacLaurin Building	Victoria	British Columbia

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Victoria

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Walking Ability	Treadmill test of walking coordination, speed, and symmetry. Interlimb coordination assessed with peripheral nerve stimulation during arm and leg cycling and walking. Strength of dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion and grip strength also assessed.	Within five days	No
Secondary	Clinical Status assessed by a Physiotherapist	Clinical assessment of skin sensitivity, spasticity, balance and coordination, and walking endurance.	Within 5 days	No