Motor Learning for Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke

NCT05765474 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AAAU1704
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research is to learn about practice conditions that may benefit stroke survivors when learning to use their more affected arm to perform a task. Participants will be randomized into two groups. Experimental and control groups will differ by one practice variable that will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures. Participants will practice a motor task using both their more and less affected arms for two consecutive days. A Pre-Test will be administered on Day 1 before the training begins. Immediate Transfer of Learning will be administered on Day 2 after the completion of training. Delayed (24-hour) Retention and Transfer Tests will be administered on Day 3.

Conditions

Stroke; Hemiparesis

Keywords

Stroke; Hemiparesis; Rehabilitation; Motor Learning

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 24-Hour Retention Test: Number of completed scoops (more affected arm)

  This is a 24-hour Retention Test of the trained motor task (the Scooping Task) that the participant practiced for 2 days. The participant is asked to use a spoon to scoop beans from one cup to another in an anterior-posterior direction, away from their body, for 30 seconds. One completed scoop occurs when at least one bean is transferred to the second cup. The score is the number of completed scoops that occur within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of completed scoops will be averaged across blocks of trials.

  Day 3

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Immediate Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (more affected arm)

  Day 2

• 24-Hour Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (more affected arm)

  Day 3

• Self-Efficacy Rating for Scooping Task

  Day 2

• Rating of Mood

  Day 2

• Interest/Enjoyment Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory

  Day 2

Study Arms (2)

Training with Practice Variable

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants will practice a motor task (the Scooping Task) for 2 consecutive days. Each day of training, participants will complete 50 trials (10 blocks of 5 trials each) with their more affected arm and 20 trials (10 blocks of 2 trials each) with their less affected arm. One trial of the task will involve using a spoon to scoop beans, one at a time, from one cup to another while seated at a table. Participants will be asked to complete as many scoops as possible from the cup closest to them to the cup farthest from them within 30 seconds in an anterior-posterior direction. One successful repetition occurs when at least one bean is transferred. The number of successful repetitions within a 30 second trial is then counted. Training for the experimental group will include the practice variable of interest.

Behavioral: Practice Variable

Training without Practice Variable

OTHER

All participants will practice a motor task (the Scooping Task) for 2 consecutive days. Each day of training, participants will complete 50 trials (10 blocks of 5 trials each) with their more affected arm and 20 trials (10 blocks of 2 trials each) with their less affected arm. One trial of the task will involve using a spoon to scoop beans, one at a time, from one cup to another while seated at a table. Participants will be asked to complete as many scoops as possible from the cup closest to them to the cup farthest from them within 30 seconds in an anterior-posterior direction. One successful repetition occurs when at least one bean is transferred. The number of successful repetitions within a 30 second trial is then counted. Training for the control group will not include the practice variable of interest.

Behavioral: No Practice Variable

Interventions

Practice Variable BEHAVIORAL

This group receives the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

Training with Practice Variable

No Practice Variable BEHAVIORAL

This group does not receive the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

Training without Practice Variable

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• At least 6 months following stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
• Upper limb weakness resulting from the stroke
• Able to follow 2-step commands
• Box and Block test score of 3-60
• Intact proprioception at the index finger of the weaker arm
• English speaking

You may not qualify if:

• Severe neglect (Score of 2 on extinction and inattention items of NIHSS)
• Arm pain that limits movement or loss of functional range of movement (contracture)
• Unable to give informed consent
• Received Botox within the past 3-months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Columbia University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

New York, New York, 10032, 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

• Dawn Nilsen, EdD

  Columbia University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Research participants will be blinded to the overall purpose of the study and will not be informed of the difference between the groups. They will be debriefed after the completion of all study procedures in accordance with IRB policies. Outcomes assessors will be blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 1, 2023
• First Posted: March 13, 2023
• Study Start: March 22, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 16, 2024
• Study Completion: February 16, 2024
• Last Updated: September 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

US (1)