Clinical trials

This study looks at whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can be effectively implemented in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings during routine speech therapy for people who recently had a stroke and now have aphasia (difficulty speaking or understanding language)

In the United States, more than 795,000 people have a stroke every year. Motor impairment after a stroke is common and can be debilitating. To date, there remain few treatments available to help improve motor recovery after a stroke, making this an important area of research. Novel use of neuromodulation such as Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve motor recovery in stroke patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), in which the nerve is stimulated with electrical pulses, has demonstrated success for a variety of conditions, including inflammation, depression, cognitive dysfunction, chronic fatigue, headaches/migraines, pain, insomnia, and cardiovascular issues. Very recently, non-invasive options have been developed and might be a promising alternative. The research in this area is still very limited and much more research is needed to investigate non-invasive/trancutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) related biomechanisms and to further support its efficacy in acute patients. The purpose of this study is to build upon the current research to investigate changes in electrical brain activity (using electrophysiology) and genetic markers related to improvements in both motor and cognitive recovery following the use of taVNS vs. sham in acute stroke patients.

People with neurological conditions often have difficulty walking, including problems such as foot drop. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a treatment that uses electrical signals to activate muscles and support walking. The L300 device is designed to help lift the foot during each step. This study will evaluate how using the L300 affects walking performance. Researchers will measure walking speed, step length, and walking symmetry using objective gait assessment tools. The study will also explore whether people with different neurological conditions respond differently to FES. The goal of this research is to improve understanding of how FES influences walking and to support more personalized rehabilitation approaches.

The primary objective of this prospective study is to investigate the effects of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training compared to traditional low-weight resistance training on grip strength in young adults. Despite the growing interest in BFR training and its potential benefits, there is limited research specifically investigating its impact on grip strength. Understanding the effects of BFR training on grip strength could have significant implications for individuals seeking to optimize their grip performance, rehabilitation settings, and sports performance enhancement. Additionally, examining the safety and efficacy of BFR training for this specific outcome will contribute valuable insights to the scientific community.