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Electrical Stimulation to Improve Hand Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke
NCT00023569 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This study will determine whether an electric shock to the forearm can improve hand function in patients with chronic stroke and, if so, whether the improvement is related to brain reorganization. Some studies indicate that electromyography-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (EMG-triggered NMES) on the forearm improves wrist motor function in patients with chronic stroke. The shock is delivered to the wrist extensor muscle of the forearm, causing greater hand movement than the patient can make on his or her own. The study will determine if the electric shock is more effective given after the patient initiates the hand movement (EMG-triggered NMES) than at times unrelated to patient effort (NMES alone). Stroke patients with muscle weakness on one side of the body may be eligible for this study. The stroke must have occurred at least 12 months before the patient enters the study. Candidates will have a medical history and physical and neurological examinations. Participants will be divided randomly into two groups: EMG-triggered NMES, and NMES alone. For EMG-triggered NMES, two electrodes from the NMES machine and two EMG electrodes are placed on the wrist extensor muscle of the forearm. The patient relaxes the hand, then contracts the wrist extensor muscle to produce movement. This movement triggers the NMES to deliver enough electrical stimulation to produce maximum wrist extension. For NMES alone, only the two NMES electrodes are placed on the forearm. The patient relaxes the hand and stimulation is applied at an intensity to produce full wrist extension without any patient effort. At the first clinic visit, baseline hand function is measured with the following tests: * Wrist extension - wrist extension is measured with a digital instrument called an accelerometer * Pinch power - grip strength between thumb and index finger is measured with a digital pinch analyzer * Jebsen-Taylor hand function - function is evaluated through activities such as movi
Conditions Studied
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) — Bethesda
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 16 participants |
| Start Date | 2001-09 |
| Est. Completion | 2003-09 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00023569
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00023569 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as an unspecified phase, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 16 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which has 339 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Cerebrovascular Accident appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 0 interventions. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00023569 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00023569 about?
NCT00023569 is a clinical study titled "Electrical Stimulation to Improve Hand Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke". This study will determine whether an electric shock to the forearm can improve hand function in patients with chronic stroke and, if so, whether the improvement is related to brain reorganization. Some studies indicate that electromyography-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (EMG-trigger...
What is the current status of trial NCT00023569?
This trial is currently completed. The enrollment target is 16 participants. The study started on 2001-09. Estimated completion is 2003-09.
What conditions does trial NCT00023569 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Cerebrovascular Accident. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00023569?
This trial is sponsored by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which has 339 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00023569 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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