Virtual reality powered by muscle signals could transform stroke rehab
NCT ID NCT07705256
First seen Jul 15, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 6 times
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a virtual-reality system controlled by muscle activity can help improve arm and hand movement in people recovering from stroke or spinal cord injury. Participants use a wearable device that detects muscle signals through sensors on the skin and provides visual and vibration feedback during upper-limb exercises. A smaller sub-study also adds electrical stimulation to help activate muscles. The study measures changes in movement ability and explores which biological or movement-related markers are linked to recovery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a wearable device that uses surface EMG sensors to detect muscle activity and provides visual and vibrotactile feedback during virtual-reality rehabilitation exercises
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could offer a new, engaging way to improve arm and hand function during rehabilitation after stroke or spinal cord injury.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The device is still experimental, and it is unclear how much it will improve movement compared to standard therapy.
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
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 24 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2026
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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: * Aged 18 or over * Cognitive status that would permit for use /supported use of intervention device and engagement in protocol related trainings/assessment. To be indicated by treating clinician at point of screening, formal capacity assessment to be conducted as appropriate. Refer to easy read patient information sheet (PIS) and training materials to support all patients presenting with specific cognitive and/or communication needs. * (We do not wish to exclude patients with cognitive impairment as this would limit the heterogeneity of our sample and generalizability of our findings, given the prevalence of cognitive impairment in stroke patients.) * Stroke diagnosis (can be first or subsequent stroke, unilateral haemorrhagic or ischemic) 2 weeks max post stroke at time of recruitment. * Can communicate in English, that is, sufficient for completion of intervention and outcome measures. A speech and language therapist (SLT) will be consulted if necessary to ensure all reasonable accommodations are made to support participation. * UL motor deficit post stroke (bilateral/unilateral) (according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) item 5), distal UL power \<1 /5 on the Oxford Rating Scale (Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing scale). Exclusion Criteria: * Patients already enrolled an interventional neuro rehabilitation trial. * Patients enrolled in clinical trials that contraindicate co-enrolment. * Patients presenting with unstable medical conditions/medical contraindications as determined by treating medical consultant (these patients may be approached at a later date should their condition improve). * Those registered blind/with uncompensated/uncorrected visual deficits, including severe neglect that prevents them from being able to focus on visually provided feedback. * Behavioural/affective dysfunction which could influence the ability of the person to engage with the research protocol and/or pose risk to the participating researchers (in circumstances such as follow-up community visits). * Other concomitant neurological disorders affecting upper extremity motor function (Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, Brachial Plexus or Radial Nerve Injury). * Unremitting arm, wrist or hand pain at rest (Numeric Pain Rating Scale \> 4). Consumption of caffeine 2 hours prior to assessment (assessment will be postponed to a later time). * Pre-existing UL impairment with known and significant disruption to range of motion, motor or functional performance (fracture, arthritic changes, other known musculoskeletal problems). Or pre-modified Rankin Score \> 2. * Skin condition apparent on the ventral UE such that might place participant at risk of irritation in the context of repeated physical contact (such as that associated with the intervention). * Subsequent MRI that fails to confirm stroke * Chronic stroke patients whose stroke occurred in excess of 2.5 years ago * Patients whose cognitive impairment prevents them from following instructions
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
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.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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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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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Charing Cross Hospital
RECRUITINGLondon, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and pelvic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on trunk control, balance and functional mobility in stroke patients
- Correlation of visual and motor deficits in stroke patients
- Pilot study on the effects induced by an electromyographic-controlled functional electrical stimulator (FitFES) for upper limb rehabilitation in post-stroke patients
- Brazilian version of a behavior change intervention to support healthy lifestyle adoption after stroke - iVIDAVC: protocol for a pilot randomized study
- Determination of efficacy of sustained motor contraction generated using StimWave peripheral nerve stimulator
- Can a PET tracer reveal hidden brain inflammation?