Neurofeedback for functional motor recovery after stroke.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback for functional motor recovery after stroke.
IRAS ID
205560
Contact name
David Linden
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Sponsorship reference number, SPON 1513-16
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Stroke is a leading cause for motor disability in adults. It can severely impair motor control of body movements. We address the clinical need to improve significant upper limb weakness that remains months after a stroke in many survivors. \nRecently, we have developed a new method for neurological patients called real-time fMRI neurofeedback training, which has shown improvement in motor function for Parkinson patients. Here we aim to develop this technique for stroke rehabilitation. During neurofeedback training, patients train brain areas that are involved in the control of body movements. For this technique to work, patients go into an MRI brain scanner and learn to control their brain activity using motor imagery, i.e. patients imagine everyday movements that they used to perform with the affected upper limb. We will recruit patients from an established clinical stroke rehabilitation service and will conduct the scanning sessions in Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). The aim of this pilot study will be to see which motor areas stroke patients can train, and whether they report any benefits from this. In subsequent stages we would evaluate the most promising procedure further in formal clinical trials.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
16/WA/0167
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion