Neuroplastic Changes Due to an Exercise Intervention That Aid in Lower Limb Recovery After Subcortical Stroke
Who can join
Ages 18 to 80 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * chronic left or right subcortical stroke as defined by 6 months or more after a cardiovascular accident * lower extremity motor impairment due to stroke that causes a walking speed of less than 0.6 m/s during a 10m walk, * age 18-80 years old, and * Screen pass of the Stress test or Physician sign-off from the participant's health care team that they are cleared for a 12 week exercise intervention Exclusion Criteria: * MRI contraindications, including implanted cardiac pacemakers and severe claustrophobia * any neurodegenerative condition other than stroke that may lead to lower extremity impairment * visual or auditory impairment that may hinder study procedures, and * any medical condition that would preclude from participation in a physical exercise intervention program.
About the study
This study aims to develop imaging-based biomarkers to assess which chronic stroke participant with lower extremity disability may respond or resist high intensity interval training (HIIT).
Previous research suggests that physical exercise training is safe and could help improve the walking speed of non-ambulatory stroke survivors. However, inter-individual variability in response to exercise is extraordinarily high regardless of adherence, and predictors of response remain elusive.
Chronic stroke survivors with lower limb disability resulting in slow walking speeds will participate in 12 weeks of cycling exercise at Emory University under the guidance of a physical exercise instructor, 3 days a week, for 25-60 minutes. During some of the exercise sessions, the investigators will collect blood lactate with a finger prick. Brain scans with an MRI before and after the 12 weeks of exercise will be done; motor function tests that include walking, sitting down, standing up, and turning around will be collected. Participants' memory and thinking will be assessed, and participants will fill out questionnaires about their health before and after their stroke, and well as questions about their diet.
The participation will last between 14-16 weeks (up to 42 study visits).
What is being tested
- HIIT intervention (behavioral)
Sponsor: Emory University · Participants: 55 · Started: 2026-09
Contact the study team
- Lisa Krishnamurthy, PhD · Phone: 404-712-5332
- Susan Murphy · Phone: 404-712-1928
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07663292
Locations in the U.S.
| Georgia | Emory Rehabilitation Hospital, Atlanta Emory University Hospital, Atlanta |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.