RecruitingNot Applicable

Exercise Induced Hypoalgesia in Pain-free Stroke and Healthy Populations: a Cohort Study

Spain60 participantsStarted 2026-04

Plain-language summary

Exercise has shown multiple beneficial effects in both healthy and post-stroke populations. One of these is the acute reduction in sensitivity to painful stimuli, called exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). This phenomenon has been studied since 1979 and has shown improvements in pain thresholds with both aerobic and resistance training in healthy, pain-free populations and different chronic pain conditions. Although there has been extensive research on EIH in healthy populations and those with chronic musculoskeletal pain, surprisingly little attention has been given to individuals with neurological pathologies. Chronic pain is found in more than 50% of patients after stroke, and 70% of affected individuals experience pain on daily activities. Reported prevalences of post-stroke pain (PSP) between different studies, but there is a general consensus that it is an underreported phenomenon. Patients with pain experience greater cognitive and functional decline, fatigue, depression and lower quality of life. Multiple factors contribute to PSP, and various approaches exist to treat all the variables influencing it. This study aims to compare the effects of exercise on pain perception in healthy individuals and stroke patients without pain, using the same cardiovascular training protocol, to better understand the mechanisms of EIH and its maintenance after stroke, ultimately aiming to improve the treatment of people with stroke.

Who can participate

Age range

18 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.

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy cohort: * Age \> 18 years * No neurological damage * No medical conditions that could affect the test Post-stroke cohort: * Age \> 18 years * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (time since onset \> 3 months) Exclusion Criteria: Healthy cohort: * Any medical condition that could affect the test (respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic diseases, for example) * Pain in any location, of duration \> 1 week in the 3 months preceding the trial. Post-stroke cohort: * Unable to participate in the test (no possibility of transfer or active pedaling) * Medical contraindication to cardiovascular training for any reason * Inability to follow instructions or communicate sensations during training * Other neurological pathology, cardiac pathology (unstable angina, arrhythmias, aortic or left ventricular problems, myocarditis, pericarditis), pulmonary pathology that affects the test (pulmonary embolisms, pulmonary hypertension, etc.), renal or metabolic problems (severe renal dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes, etc.), acute infection or fever, neurosurgery within 6 weeks prior to inclusion in the study * Pain in any location, lasting \> 1 week in the 3 months prior to the trial. * Use of beta-blockers, antidepressants, or any medication that may alter heart rate measurements

Questions worth asking your doctor

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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

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.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pressure pain thresholds

Timeframe: Before the cardiovacular training, inmediately after the training, and 30 minutes after

Conditioned pain modulation

Timeframe: Before the cardiovascular training, inmediately after the training and 30 minutes after

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07327593

SponsorNeuron, Spain

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-09

Contact for this trial

Alejandro Herrera Rojas, Physical Therapist

+ 34 640944777 aherrerar2003@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Stroke trials