RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06604143

Stroke Motor Recovery for the Hand and Fingers

Discovering the Potential for Motor Recovery in People Living With Stroke

Sponsor

University of Toronto

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

May 7, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Stroke

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two rehabilitation methods to improve finger movements in people who have had a stroke. The main question it aims to answer is which of these two training methods leads to the most improvement: 1. Teaching people to reach their movement goals using any strategies they like. 2. Teaching people to improve their movement technique and avoid compensatory strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The second goal is to find out who might benefit more from each method. Some people with stroke may rely on compensatory strategies due to severe impairment, while others with milder strokes might benefit more from techniques that enhance movement quality. The third goal is to take pictures of the brain to see how it changes with each method. This will help researchers understand how the brain adapts after a stroke and could lead to treatments that target the brain directly. Participants will: 1. Visit the lab for clinical and research assessments on weeks 1, 4, 5, and 15. 2. Complete 10 days of piano training. 3. Undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans twice, once in week 1 and once in week 4.

Eligibility

Min Age: 19 YearsMax Age: 80 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

Over 18 years of age
Diagnosis of first time unilateral ischemic or hemorrhagic
Stroke occurrence: > 6 months and < 2 years
Able to perform active finger movements (Chedoke-McMaster (CM) Impairment Inventory of the Hand, Stage ≥ 3)

Exclusion Criteria8

History of developmental, neurological, or major psychiatric disorders
Cognitive deficits (< 23/30 Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
Apraxia (<2SD mean Waterloo Apraxia test)
Neglect (> 40/100, Sunnybrook Neglect Assessment Procedure)
Cerebellar stroke
Musculoskeletal injury affecting motor performance
Inability to sit in a chair and perform exercises for sustained periods
Contraindications to MRI

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALQuality Training

Participants will engage in piano playing tasks using their affected hand and fingers. The training focuses on specific aspects of finger movement, and participants will receive feedback related to their playing. They will wear a wrist brace for support, and their hand and arm positions will be monitored to ensure proper technique.

BEHAVIORALGoal Training

Participants will engage in piano playing tasks using their affected hand and fingers. The training emphasizes learning to play and producing music. Feedback will be provided on various aspects of performance such as speed and accuracy, but specific details about finger movement or technique will not be given. The use of a wrist brace and monitoring of hand and arm positions will be consistent with standard practice.