Brain scan breakthrough could predict stroke recovery
NCT ID NCT07666165
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether brain scans (fMRI) can predict how well stroke survivors will recover arm and hand function after physical therapy. Fourteen people with chronic stroke completed 12 therapy sessions. Researchers measured brain connectivity before and after therapy to see if it could forecast improvements in motor skills.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help predict which stroke survivors will benefit most from physical therapy, allowing for more personalized rehabilitation plans.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study (14 people) focused on measuring brain activity, not testing a treatment. The results may not apply to all stroke survivors.
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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14 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2022
- Finished
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Dec 2022
- 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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35 to 85 years
- 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: * age comprised between 35 and 85 years * diagnosis of a single unilateral subcortical stroke event occurring more than 6 months prior to enrollment resulting in upper extremity paresis (weakness) of one arm, * presence of residual upper extremity motor function, demonstrated by the ability to actively supinate (rotate hand toward "palm-up" direction) the paretic forearm to neutral and to voluntarily extend (bend wrist toward back of the hand) and radially deviate (bend wrist toward thumb side) the paretic wrist at least 5 degrees, * adequate cognition to provide informed consent and fully follow instruction (MOCA score of at least 19), * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * more than 1 stroke, * clinical or radiological evidence of damage to the cerebellum or brainstem, * contra-indications to MRI (i.e. pacemakers, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, metallic implants, pregnancy, claustrophobia, permanent metal braces, or other implanted devices not approved for 3T imaging - see CBBI MRI Safety Checklist for details), * weight \>400 pounds and/or unable or too uncomfortable to fit the torso into the MRI bore, * musculoskeletal or other neurologic (non-stroke) conditions directly affecting the paretic wrist or hand function (such as tendinitis, arthritis, hand or wrist orthopaedic surgery in the last 6 months, diagnosis of carpal tunnel, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc.) * inability to follow instructions on the motor task or understand protocol description (e.g. due to cognitive deficits) * participation in additional Occupational or Physical Therapy in which they are doing hand/arm exercises while enrolled in this study * received Botox injections in the past 3 months prior to or during participation in the study
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Center for Biomedical and Brain Imaging
Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States
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STAR Health Sciences Complex
Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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