RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ULTRASONOGRAPHIC QUADRICEPS MUSCLE THICKNESS AND SARCOPENIA MARKERS (HANDGRIP STRENGTH, SARC-F) AND KINESIOPHOBIA IN STROKE PATIENTS

NCT07734506 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025/61
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between ultrasonography-measured quadriceps muscle thickness and the sarcopenia markers SARC-F questionnaire and handgrip strength in patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke. In addition, the relationship between quadriceps muscle thickness and the level of kinesiophobia will be quantitatively assessed. This study is a cross-sectional clinical study conducted between August 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026, at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of the University of Health Sciences İstanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital. Fifty volunteer participants with ischemic stroke and a lower-extremity Brunnstrom motor stage of 3 or higher, who presented to the clinic during the study period, were included. Bilateral quadriceps femoris muscle thickness, including the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius muscles, was measured using ultrasonography. The SARC-F questionnaire was used to assess sarcopenia risk, handgrip strength measurement was used to evaluate muscle strength, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia was used to determine the level of kinesiophobia. Motor recovery stage was assessed using the Brunnstrom Staging system; motor and cognitive independence were assessed using the Functional Independence Measure; walking independence was assessed using the Functional Ambulation Scale; and independence in activities of daily living was assessed using the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living. Because balance impairment, muscle weakness, and limited mobility are common after stroke, physical performance tests may be difficult to administer safely and consistently in this patient population. Therefore, the relationship between quadriceps muscle thickness and physical performance tests was not evaluated in this study. The Chair Stand Test, which requires repeated sit-to-stand movements as well as adequate balance and lower-extremity muscle strength, was also not included because it may increase the risk of falls in patients with limited mobility. This study aims to demonstrate the clinical potential of ultrasonography in the assessment of post-stroke sarcopenia and to support a more holistic approach to stroke rehabilitation planning that considers both physical and psychological factors.

Conditions

Stroke; Sarcopenia; Kinesiophobia

Keywords

Quadriceps Muscle Thickness; Ultrasonography; Sarcopenia; SARC-F; Handgrip Strength; Kinesiophobia; Stroke Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quadriceps Muscle Thickness

  Bilateral quadriceps femoris muscle thickness (rectus femoris and vastus intermedius) measured by ultrasonography

  Measured once at the time of study enrollment (baseline, cross-sectional assessment). Within this single session, three consecutive measurements were obtained per participant, and the mean value was recorded as the outcome value

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• SARC-F Score

  Measured once at the time of study enrollment

• Handgrip Strength

  Measured once at the time of study enrollment (baseline, cross-sectional assessment). Within this single session, three consecutive measurements were obtained per participant, and the highest value was recorded as the outcome value

• Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Score

  Measured once at the time of study enrollment

Study Arms (1)

Ischemic Stroke Patients

Fifty volunteer participants diagnosed with ischemic stroke, admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of the University of Health Sciences Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital between August 1, 2025 and August 1, 2026, were included. Inclusion criteria were: chronic stroke duration between 6 months and 2 years, ischemic stroke type, age between 40-80 years, Brunnstrom lower extremity motor stage ≥3 with ambulatory status, and provision of written informed consent. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke, stroke onset more than 2 years prior, inflammatory arthritis or other rheumatologic disease, history of knee trauma, pre-stroke neurological gait disorder, recurrent stroke, lower extremity amputation, or knee joint contracture were excluded.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with chronic ischemic stroke who presented to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital.

You may qualify if:

• Chronic stroke duration between 6 months and 2 years
• Ischemic stroke type
• Age between 40-80 years
• Brunnstrom lower extremity motor stage ≥3, ambulatory
• Provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Stroke onset more than 2 years prior
• Inflammatory arthritis or other rheumatologic disease
• History of knee trauma
• Pre-stroke neurological gait disorder
• Recurrent stroke
• Lower extremity amputation
• Knee joint contracture

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34180, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Cigercioglu N, Bazancir Apaydin Z, Apaydin H, Guney H. The relationship between kinesiophobia and muscle architectural characteristics and functional tests in women with knee osteoarthritis: an analytical study. Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Health Sciences. 2024;9(1). doi:10.5336/healthsci.2024-101654.

  BACKGROUND

• Rech A, Radaelli R, Goltz FR, da Rosa LH, Schneider CD, Pinto RS. Echo intensity is negatively associated with functional capacity in older women. Age (Dordr). 2014;36(5):9708. doi: 10.1007/s11357-014-9708-2. Epub 2014 Aug 29.

  PMID: 25167965 BACKGROUND

• Gomes TLN, Borges TC, Pichard C, Pimentel GD. Correlation between SARC-F Score and Ultrasound-Measured Thigh Muscle Thickness in Older Hospitalized Cancer Patients. J Nutr Health Aging. 2020;24(10):1128-1130. doi: 10.1007/s12603-020-1524-z.

  PMID: 33244572 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke; Sarcopenia; Kinesiophobia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• ALPEREN KOLUKISAOĞLU, MD

  Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• NUR KESİKTAŞ, MD, Professor

  Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

ALPEREN KOLUKISAOĞLU, MD

CONTACT

+905387911854; drkolukisaoglu@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2026
• First Posted: July 29, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2026
• Study Completion: August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)