NCT03819764

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether aerobic exercise improves the participant's ability to recover function in the arm and leg affected by the participant's stroke. The investigators are also calculating the cost effectiveness of the rehabilitation interventions.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable stroke

Timeline
Completed

Started Apr 2019

Longer than P75 for not_applicable stroke

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 17, 2019

Completed
12 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 29, 2019

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 11, 2019

Completed
4.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 31, 2024

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 31, 2024

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

July 29, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

July 29, 2025

Status Verified

July 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

4.8 years

First QC Date

January 17, 2019

Results QC Date

May 2, 2025

Last Update Submit

July 28, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

strokeaerobic exerciseforced exerciserepetitive task practicearm functionupper extremity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (11)

  • Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a 33 item assessment of post-stroke upper extremity impairment. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-66, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    Baseline

  • Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a 33 item assessment of post-stroke upper extremity impairment. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-66, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    midpoint (4 weeks from Baseline)

  • Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a 33 item assessment of post-stroke upper extremity impairment. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-66, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    end of treatment (8 weeks from Baseline)

  • Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a 33 item assessment of post-stroke upper extremity impairment. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-66, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    end of treatment +4 weeks (12 weeks from Baseline)

  • Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a 33 item assessment of post-stroke upper extremity impairment. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-66, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    end of treatment +6 months (8 months from Baseline)

  • Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a 33 item assessment of post-stroke upper extremity impairment. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-66, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    end of treatment +1 year (14 months from Baseline)

  • Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)

    The Action Research Arm Test is an assessment of post-stroke upper extremity function. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-57, with higher scores indicating a better outcome. The test includes 4 subscales: grasp (6 items, score range 0-18), grip (4 items, score range 0-12), pinch (6 items, score range 0-18), and gross motor (3 items, score range 0-9 ) which are added up for the total score. For all subscales, higher scores indicate better function.

    Baseline

  • Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)

    The Action Research Arm Test is an assessment of post-stroke upper extremity function. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-57, with higher scores indicating a better outcome. The test includes 4 subscales: grasp (6 items, score range 0-18), grip (4 items, score range 0-12), pinch (6 items, score range 0-18), and gross motor (3 items, score range 0-9 ) which are added up for the total score. For all subscales, higher scores indicate better function.

    end of treatment (8 weeks from Baseline)

  • Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)

    The Action Research Arm Test is an assessment of post-stroke upper extremity function. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-57, with higher scores indicating a better outcome.

    end of treatment +4 weeks (12 weeks from Baseline)

  • Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)

    The Action Research Arm Test is an assessment of post-stroke upper extremity function. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-57, with higher scores indicating a better outcome. The test includes 4 subscales: grasp (6 items, score range 0-18), grip (4 items, score range 0-12), pinch (6 items, score range 0-18), and gross motor (3 items, score range 0-9 ) which are added up for the total score. For all subscales, higher scores indicate better function.

    end of treatment +6 months (8 months from Baseline)

  • Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)

    The Action Research Arm Test is an assessment of post-stroke upper extremity function. Total score is reported, scores range from 0-57, with higher scores indicating a better outcome. The test includes 4 subscales: grasp (6 items, score range 0-18), grip (4 items, score range 0-12), pinch (6 items, score range 0-18), and gross motor (3 items, score range 0-9 ) which are added up for the total score. For all subscales, higher scores indicate better function.

    end of treatment +1 year (14 months from Baseline)

Secondary Outcomes (53)

  • Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)

    Baseline

  • Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)

    Baseline

  • Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)

    end of treatment (8 weeks from Baseline)

  • Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)

    end of treatment +6 months (8 months from Baseline)

  • Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)

    end of treatment +1 year (14 months from Baseline)

  • +48 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Aerobic Exercise & Repetitive Task Practice

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform the following: 1. 45 minutes of cycling 2. 45 minutes of upper extremity repetitive arm exercises

Behavioral: Aerobic ExerciseBehavioral: Upper Extremity Repetitive Task Practice

Upper Extremity Repetitive Task Practice Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform the following: 1\. 90 minutes of upper extremity repetitive arm exercises

Behavioral: Upper Extremity Repetitive Task Practice

Interventions

Cycling on a recumbent stationary bike with a specialized motor that forces the individual to cycle approximately 30-35% faster than your self-selected speed

Aerobic Exercise & Repetitive Task Practice

Repetitive arm exercises

Aerobic Exercise & Repetitive Task PracticeUpper Extremity Repetitive Task Practice Only

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 85 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • ≥ 6 months following single ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed with neuroimaging,
  • Fugl-Meyer motor score 19-55 in the involved upper extremity,
  • Ambulatory ≥ 20 meters with no more than contact guard assistance, and
  • years of age.

You may not qualify if:

  • hospitalization for myocardial infarction, heart failure or heart surgery within 3 months,
  • cardiac arrhythmia,
  • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
  • severe aortic stenosis,
  • pulmonary embolus,
  • significant contractures,
  • anti-spasticity injection within 3 months of enrollment and
  • other contraindication to exercise

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • Linder SM, Rilinger R, Learman K, Miller Koop M, Streicher M, Davidson S, Miller C, Harris D, Corrigan P, Bethoux F, Alberts JL. Forced-Rate Aerobic Cycling Improves Locomotor Function and Gait Biomechanics in Individuals With Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2025 Dec 1;104(12):1147-1154. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002785. Epub 2025 Jul 4.

  • Linder SM, Bischof-Bockbrader A, Davidson S, Li Y, Lapin B, Singh T, Lee J, Bethoux F, Alberts JL. The Utilization of Forced-Rate Cycling to Facilitate Motor Recovery Following Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2024 Apr;38(4):291-302. doi: 10.1177/15459683241233577. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

  • Linder SM, Lee J, Bethoux F, Persson D, Bischof-Bockbrader A, Davidson S, Li Y, Lapin B, Roberts J, Troha A, Maag L, Singh T, Alberts JL. An 8-week Forced-rate Aerobic Cycling Program Improves Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Persons With Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 May;105(5):835-842. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.01.018. Epub 2024 Feb 11.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

StrokeCerebrovascular DisordersBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Interventions

Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Results Point of Contact

Title
Dr. Susan Linder, PT, DPT, PhD
Organization
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Study Officials

  • Susan Linder, DPT

    The Cleveland Clinic

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restrictive Agreement
No

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Project Scientist, Principle Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 17, 2019

First Posted

January 29, 2019

Study Start

April 11, 2019

Primary Completion

January 31, 2024

Study Completion

January 31, 2024

Last Updated

July 29, 2025

Results First Posted

July 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations