Neuroplastic Changes Due to an Exercise Intervention That Aid in Lower Limb Recovery After Subcor… (NCT07663292) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Neuroplastic Changes Due to an Exercise Intervention That Aid in Lower Limb Recovery After Subcortical Stroke
United States55 participantsStarted 2026-07
Plain-language summary
This study aims to develop imaging-based biomarkers to assess which chronic stroke participant with lower extremity disability may respond or resist high intensity interval training (HIIT).
Previous research suggests that physical exercise training is safe and could help improve the walking speed of non-ambulatory stroke survivors. However, inter-individual variability in response to exercise is extraordinarily high regardless of adherence, and predictors of response remain elusive.
Chronic stroke survivors with lower limb disability resulting in slow walking speeds will participate in 12 weeks of cycling exercise at Emory University under the guidance of a physical exercise instructor, 3 days a week, for 25-60 minutes. During some of the exercise sessions, the investigators will collect blood lactate with a finger prick. Brain scans with an MRI before and after the 12 weeks of exercise will be done; motor function tests that include walking, sitting down, standing up, and turning around will be collected. Participants' memory and thinking will be assessed, and participants will fill out questionnaires about their health before and after their stroke, and well as questions about their diet.
The participation will last between 14-16 weeks (up to 42 study visits).
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:
* chronic left or right subcortical stroke as defined by 6 months or more after a cardiovascular accident
* lower extremity motor impairment due to stroke that causes a walking speed of less than 0.6 m/s during a 10m walk,
* age 18-80 years old, and
* Screen pass of the Stress test or Physician sign-off from the participant's health care team that they are cleared for a 12 week exercise intervention
Exclusion Criteria:
* MRI contraindications, including implanted cardiac pacemakers and severe claustrophobia
* any neurodegenerative condition other than stroke that may lead to lower extremity impairment
* visual or auditory impairment that may hinder study procedures, and
* any medical condition that would preclude from participation in a physical exercise intervention program.
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
1
Walking Speed Assessed by the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)