Muscle-tendon Interaction in the Spastic Sural Triceps During Gait

NCT06474117 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: RC24_02742024-A01157-40
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This project aims to study the mechanical behavior of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and the Achilles tendon (AT) in post-stroke and spinal cord injured (SCI) patients compared to a healthy population, focusing on the variations in muscle and tendon length during the stance phase of the gait cycle. The primary objective is to assess the respective contributions of the GM and AT lengthening in the MTU during walking. Inclusion criteria include adult post-stroke and post-SCI patients with voluntary motor function and some walking capacity. Methods include ultrasound measurements and 3D gait analysis.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries; Stroke

Keywords

Gait; Echography; Spinal Cord Injury; Stroke

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Length of the Achilles Tendon (AT), Muscle Fibers of the Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), and the Muscle GM During the Single Support Phase of Walking

  This measure involves the use of ultrasound to assess the lengths of the Achilles tendon, muscle fibers of the gastrocnemius medialis, and the entire muscle GM during the single support phase of the gait cycle in post-stroke and SCI patients compared to healthy controls. The primary goal is to determine the contributions of the muscle and tendon to the overall muscle-tendon unit during walking.

  1 Day

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Positioning of the Muscle Fibers on the Force-Length Curve During Different Phases of Walking

  1 Day

Study Arms (3)

Post-Stroke Patients

Patients will undergo gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. They will also have their force/length profile of the GM measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound

Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound; Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound

Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Similar to the post-stroke group, these patients will undergo gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. The force/length profile of the GM will also be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound.

Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound; Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound

Healthy controls

The healthy control group will undergo the same gait analysis and ultrasound measurements as the patient groups. Their force/length profile of the GM will also be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound for comparison with the post-stroke and post-spinal cord injury groups.

Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound; Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound

Interventions

Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound OTHER

Measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle

Healthy controls; Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients; Post-Stroke Patients

Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound OTHER

Measure the force/length profile of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle

Healthy controls; Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients; Post-Stroke Patients

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy subjects, post-stroke subject, SCI subjects

You may qualify if:

• Post-Stroke Population:
• Adult male or female
• Patient who had a stroke more than 7 days ago
• Patient hospitalized (in conventional hospitalization or day hospital) in the university neurological rehabilitation department of CHU de Nantes
• Patient with voluntary motor function graded between 2 and 4 on the MRC (Medical Research Council) scale at the GM level
• Patient classified between 3 and 8 on the New Functional Ambulation Classification
• Post-Spinal Cord Injury Population:
• Adult male or female
• Patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury classified as ASIA AIS C or D from level C2 to L5
• Patient hospitalized (in conventional hospitalization or day hospital) in the neurological rehabilitation department of CHU de Nantes
• Patient with voluntary motor function graded between 2 and 4 on the MRC (Medical Research Council) scale at the GM level
• Patient classified between 3 and 8 on the New Functional Ambulation Classification
• Healthy Population:
• Adult male or female without any neurological disorders

You may not qualify if:

• Post-Stroke and Post-Spinal Cord Injury Population:
• Minor patient
• History of calf surgery, surgery to reduce triceps surae spasticity, or intramuscular injection (e.g., botulinum toxin) in the plantar flexors within the last 6 months
• Patient with a progressive condition contraindicating physical exertion (e.g., syrinx, cardiovascular instability)
• Peripheral pathology of the considered lower limb
• Healthy Population:
• History of calf surgery
• History of muscle injury, fracture, or sprain of the lower limb within the last 3 months
• History of neurological disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Laboratoire Motricité, Interactions, Performance (MIP): collaborator
• Nantes University Hospital: lead
• Société Française de Physiothérapie (SFP).: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

CHU de Nantes

Nantes, Loire Atlantique, 44093, France

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries; Stroke

Interventions

High-Energy Shock Waves

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonic Waves; Sound; Radiation, Nonionizing; Radiation; Physical Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 19, 2024
• First Posted: June 25, 2024
• Study Start: November 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 17, 2026
• Study Completion: February 17, 2026
• Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

FR (1)