Virtual Reality Augmented Gait Adaptation in Stroke Survivors

NCT03787693 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 0291-14-EP
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The major problem in stroke survivors that is being addressed in this research project is walking asymmetry, i.e., difference between the legs during walking (e.g. steps on the more affected side are longer than the other). A potential solution to this problem is using new technology like virtual reality during walking training to make stroke survivors have a better sense of their asymmetry. A second problem that we aim to address in this study is whether asymmetry is accurately felt by the stroke survivors and how we can address it. Our ongoing work on the effects of virtual reality on learning new walking tasks in stroke survivors indicates that virtual reality maybe particularly important for those with walking asymmetry. In this study, we plan to recruit stroke survivors who have such asymmetries during walking and have them learn a new walking task in virtual reality. We will also test the stroke survivors to determine if there is a relationship between how well they learn the new task with their ability to feel asymmetry accurately.

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

hemiparesis; gait; perception; sensory; vision; coordination

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Step-length Symmetry Index

  Difference between the length of a step taken by one limb from the other limb

  1 day

• Step-time Symmetry Index

  Difference between the time of a step taken by one limb from the other limb

  1 day

Study Arms (4)

Stroke Symmetric Non-VR

NO INTERVENTION

In this control arm, stroke survivors who walk symmetrically will walk on a split-belt treadmill in a non-virtual reality environment.

Stroke Symmetric VR

EXPERIMENTAL

In this experimental arm, stroke survivors who walk symmetrically will walk on a split-belt treadmill in a VR - virtual reality environment.

Behavioral: VR - Virtual Reality

Stroke Asymmetric Non-VR

NO INTERVENTION

In this control arm, stroke survivors who walk asymmetrically will walk on a split-belt treadmill in a non-virtual reality environment.

Stroke Asymmetric VR

EXPERIMENTAL

In this experimental arm, stroke survivors who walk asymmetrically will walk on a split-belt treadmill in a VR - virtual reality environment.

Behavioral: VR - Virtual Reality

Interventions

VR - Virtual Reality BEHAVIORAL

Subjects in the experimental group will perform the split-belt task in a VR environment

Stroke Asymmetric VR; Stroke Symmetric VR

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• adults \> 21 years
• diagnosed with supratentorial ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
• single, unilateral stroke
• stroke incident \> 3 months duration.
• ability to stand unsupported without an assistive device
• walk 10m without therapist assistance,
• ability to follow instructions (Folstein Mini-Mental exam score ≥ 24)

You may not qualify if:

• recurrent stroke
• hip fracture
• myocardial infarction
• \< 20/40 corrected vision
• any condition that can affect walking ability to complete the experiment successfully (e.g. neglect, Parkinson's disease, vestibulopathy, peripheral nerve pathology).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Nebraska: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Nebraska - Omaha, Biomechanics Research Building

Omaha, Nebraska, 68182, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke; Paresis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Mukul Mukherjee, PhD

  University of Nebraska

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: The PI and the subject will not be aware of the group assignment of each subject.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Chronic stroke survivors will be screened and assigned to either a Symmetric or Asymmetric group based on inter-limb step length and/or step time asymmetry at baseline. Each subject will be randomly assigned to perform a split-belt adaptation protocol in either a VR or a Non-VR environment.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 20, 2018
• First Posted: December 26, 2018
• Study Start: July 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: December 15, 2025
• Study Completion: December 15, 2025
• Last Updated: April 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)