Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

ESTIM-UL: FES for Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke

Italy40 participantsStarted 2026-05-01

Plain-language summary

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, frequently resulting in impaired upper limb motor function and spasticity. Although Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNT-A) is effective in reducing focal spasticity, functional recovery of the upper limb often remains limited without intensive, task-specific rehabilitation. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), when synchronized with voluntary movement during Task-Oriented Training, may enhance motor recovery by facilitating muscle activation and neuroplasticity. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether FES combined with Task-Oriented Training is superior to conventional Task-Oriented Training alone in improving upper limb function in post-stroke patients treated with BoNT-A.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 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: * Age 18 years or older. * Diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, documented by CT or MRI. * Clinical presence of focal upper limb spasticity, defined as a score ≥ 1+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in at least one target muscle group (elbow, wrist, or finger flexors), treated with Botulinum Toxin Type A injection. * Presence of residual voluntary muscle activation (minimal active movement) sufficient to initiate the motor task required by the training (Box and Block score \> 1). * Preserved cognitive function, defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24 or clinical judgment confirming adequate comprehension and cooperation. Exclusion Criteria: * Absolute contraindications to Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), including the presence of a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), pharmacologically uncontrolled epilepsy, or skin lesions/dermatitis at the electrode application sites. * Presence of severe muscle-tendon contractures or fixed joint deformities (ankylosis) that mechanically limit passive movement and make active functional recovery unlikely. * Severe cognitive impairment, global aphasia, or severe unilateral spatial neglect that prevents task comprehension or active participation in the training program. * Concomitant orthopedic or rheumatologic conditions affecting the upper limb (e.g., recent fractures, severe arthritis) that could interfere with treatment delivery or outcome assessm…

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

Change in Gross Manual Dexterity

Timeframe: Baseline (T0, prior to randomization) to Post-Treatment (T1, within 24-48 hours after completion of the 2-week rehabilitation program)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07513714

SponsorUniversity of Foggia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-10-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Stroke trials