Metronome beat may retrain walking after stroke

NCT ID NCT06085248

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether walking to a metronome beat—called rhythmic auditory stimulation—can help people who have had a stroke walk farther and with a more steady, automatic gait. It will also see if older adults without stroke show similar benefits. Participants will complete two six-minute walking tests, one with the metronome and one without, to compare distance, stride regularity, energy use, and walking mechanics.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Metronome-based rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) during walking
What this could lead to: If effective, this could support the use of metronome cueing as a simple, low-cost rehabilitation tool to improve walking ability after stroke and in older adults.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study (45 participants) measuring immediate effects during a single walking test, so it cannot show long-term benefits. Individual responses may vary, and not everyone may benefit.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OLD AGE STROKE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston University Neuromotor Recovery Laboratory

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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