Enzyme injection could loosen stiff muscles in stroke survivors

NCT ID NCT07693569

What the study statuses mean

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
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Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial investigates whether injecting collagenase—an enzyme that breaks down collagen—can reduce spasticity (muscle tightness) in people who have had a stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury. The study enrolls 15 adults who are at least six months post-injury and have significant muscle stiffness. Researchers measure changes in muscle tone and range of motion, while closely monitoring for side effects like tendon damage or swelling.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Collagenase (XIAFLEX) injection
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new, non-surgical option to ease muscle tightness and improve range of motion in people with neurological conditions.
What could go wrong
This is a very early, small trial with only 15 participants. Collagenase injections carry risks like tendon rupture, swelling, and pain. The treatment may not work or could cause serious side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Early phase 1

The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.

Participants

About 15 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Sep 2031

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * ≥ 6 months post stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury, medically stable; * MAS ≥ 1 Exclusion Criteria: * Is hypersensitive to XIAFLEX or collagenase; * Is currently adjusting tone alternating medications (e.g., baclofen), or * Received botulinum toxin injection to target areas \<4 months, or phenol injections \< 9 months; * Received surgical release of tendons; * Is a pregnant woman; * Has coagulation disorders, including those who receive concomitant anticoagulants (except for low-dose aspirin). * has heritable connective tissue disorders, including those within the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) spectrum.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Muscle Spasticity

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

    ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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