Cortical Priming to Optimize Gait Rehabilitation Post Stroke

Cortical Priming to Optimize Gait Rehabilitation Post Stroke

Over four million stroke survivors currently living in the United States are unable to walk independently in the community. To increase the effectiveness of gait rehabilitation, it is critical to develop therapies that are based on an understanding of brain adaptations that occur after stroke. This project will be the first step towards the development of a novel therapeutic approach using brain stimulation to increase walking capacity in stroke survivors and understand the neural mechanisms that are associated with impairment and functional recovery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 50 - 80 years
• First ever monohemispheric stroke > 6 months since onset
• Residual hemiparetic gait deficits
• Able to walk without an ankle orthotic for 5 minutes at self-paced speed. Handheld assistive device is acceptable.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe osteoporosis
• Contracture-limiting range of motion of lower limb
• Uncontrolled anti-spasticity medications during the study period
• Cardiorespiratory or metabolic diseases (e.g. cardiac arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, chronic emphysema)
• Unhealed decubiti, persistent infection
• Significant cognitive or communication impairment (MMSE <21), which could impede the understanding of the purpose of procedures of the study or prevent the patient from performing the tracking task.
• Lesions pertaining to the brainstem and cerebellum