Virtual reality powered by muscle signals could transform stroke rehab

NCT ID NCT07705256

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
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 Results may not be published yet.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This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.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 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

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

About 24 people

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

Started

Aug 2026

Expected to finish

Nov 2027

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 years and older

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: * 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

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  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

  • Charing Cross Hospital

    RECRUITING

    London, United Kingdom

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