Study of Functional Electrical Stimulation Assisted Cycling to Improve Fitness in Adults with Hemiparesis After Stroke

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether active cycling supported by functional electrical stimulation FES improves cardiovascular fitness better than active cycling alone in adults who have hemiparesis following a stroke. This randomized, controlled trial takes place in a neurologic rehabilitation unit and includes patients with hemiparesis between 3 months and 1 year after their first stroke. The study seeks to understand how FES affects physical and cognitive recovery compared to placebo stimulation. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one group receives 30 minutes of active leg cycling with FES applied to specific leg muscles, and the other group receives 30 minutes of cycling with sham FES. Both groups perform their sessions three times a week for eight weeks while seated on a specialized FES-Cycle device combining a cyclo-ergometer and an electrical stimulator. All participants continue their usual rehabilitation programs alongside the study intervention. Before starting, after completing training, and at a three-month follow-up, participants undergo evaluations including cardiovascular fitness measured by peak oxygen uptake VO2 peak, muscle thickness, walking ability, cerebral blood flow during exercise, and cognitive function. The research team monitors these outcomes to assess the impact of FES-cycling on recovery. Total involvement spans initial assessment, an eight-week treatment period, and a subsequent follow-up visit.

Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation Assisted Cycling in Patients With Hemiparesis After Stroke