The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of 6-weeks of reactive balance training (REACT) with and without neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to paretic lower limb muscles on biomechanical, clinical, neuromuscular and neuroplastic outcomes of reactive balance control. This project is a Phase-I study and incorporates a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial design. Methods: Forty-six individuals with chronic stroke will be recruited and screened for determining their eligibility for the study. Once enrolled, they will be randomized into either of the two groups: intervention group (23 participants) and control group (23 participants). Both groups will undergo series of pre-training assessments which includes a postural disturbance in the form of a slip- or trip-like perturbations and walking tests in laboratory environment. After the pre-training assessment, individuals will undergo 6-weeks of training (2 hour per session, 2 sessions per week). The intervention group will receive NMES with the REACT training and the control group will receive ShamNMES. NMES will be applied to the different muscle groups of the paretic lower limb using an advanced software which is able to synchronize muscle activation with the time of perturbation onset and according to the phases of gait. After training, both groups will again be tested on all the assessments performed pre training. This study will help us understand the immediate therapeutic and mechanistic effects of REACT+NMES and inform stroke rehabilitation research and clinical practice. Our study will provide foundational evidence for future use of NMES to implement clinically applicable neuromodulation adjuvants to reactive balance training, which could be leveraged for designing more effective future interventions for fall-risk reduction.
Age range
18 Years – 90 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change in Falls
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)
Change in Reactive Stability
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)
Change in Proactive Stability
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)
Change in Vertical Limb support
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)
Change in Muscle synergies
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)
Change in Perturbation-evoked potentials
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)
Change in time-frequency power
Timeframe: Pre-training (during week 2 i.e., Session 2), Post-training (during week 9 i.e., Session 16)