Motor Learning for Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke

September 8, 2025 updated by: Dawn Nilsen, Columbia University

Motor Learning for Individuals With Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke

The purpose of this research is to learn about practice conditions that may benefit stroke survivors when learning to use their more affected arm to perform a task. Participants will be randomized into two groups. Experimental and control groups will differ by one practice variable that will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures. Participants will practice a motor task using both their more and less affected arms for two consecutive days. A Pre-Test will be administered on Day 1 before the training begins. Immediate Transfer of Learning will be administered on Day 2 after the completion of training. Delayed (24-hour) Retention and Transfer Tests will be administered on Day 3.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Stroke involves loss of blood flow to the brain and can cause impaired upper limb motor function, resulting in long term disability. Targeted motor learning interventions can improve skill acquisition and functional upper limb use after stroke. For example, repetitive practice of a motor task has been shown to improve motor learning outcomes. However, more research is currently needed to identify important active ingredients in complex motor learning interventions and determine the most effective approaches for improving upper limb recovery after stroke. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a specific practice variable on motor learning for individuals with upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. This research will inform the development of future stroke rehabilitation interventions aimed at improving skill acquisition and motor learning.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
28

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10032
        • Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

40 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • At least 6 months following stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
  • Upper limb weakness resulting from the stroke
  • Able to follow 2-step commands
  • Box and Block test score of 3-60
  • Intact proprioception at the index finger of the weaker arm
  • English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe neglect (Score of 2 on extinction and inattention items of NIHSS)
  • Arm pain that limits movement or loss of functional range of movement (contracture)
  • Unable to give informed consent
  • Received Botox within the past 3-months

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Training with Practice Variable
All participants will practice a motor task (the Scooping Task) for 2 consecutive days. Each day of training, participants will complete 50 trials (10 blocks of 5 trials each) with their more affected arm and 20 trials (10 blocks of 2 trials each) with their less affected arm. One trial of the task will involve using a spoon to scoop beans, one at a time, from one cup to another while seated at a table. Participants will be asked to complete as many scoops as possible from the cup closest to them to the cup farthest from them within 30 seconds in an anterior-posterior direction. One successful repetition occurs when at least one bean is transferred. The number of successful repetitions within a 30 second trial is then counted. Training for the experimental group will include the practice variable of interest.
Behavioral: Practice Variable
This group receives the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.
Other: Training without Practice Variable
All participants will practice a motor task (the Scooping Task) for 2 consecutive days. Each day of training, participants will complete 50 trials (10 blocks of 5 trials each) with their more affected arm and 20 trials (10 blocks of 2 trials each) with their less affected arm. One trial of the task will involve using a spoon to scoop beans, one at a time, from one cup to another while seated at a table. Participants will be asked to complete as many scoops as possible from the cup closest to them to the cup farthest from them within 30 seconds in an anterior-posterior direction. One successful repetition occurs when at least one bean is transferred. The number of successful repetitions within a 30 second trial is then counted. Training for the control group will not include the practice variable of interest.
Behavioral: No Practice Variable
This group does not receive the practice variable. The practice variable being studied will not be disclosed until completion of testing procedures.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
24-Hour Retention Test: Number of completed scoops (more affected arm)
Time Frame: Day 3
This is a 24-hour Retention Test of the trained motor task (the Scooping Task) that the participant practiced for 2 days. The participant is asked to use a spoon to scoop beans from one cup to another in an anterior-posterior direction, away from their body, for 30 seconds. One completed scoop occurs when at least one bean is transferred to the second cup. The score is the number of completed scoops that occur within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of completed scoops will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Day 3

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Immediate Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (more affected arm)
Time Frame: Day 2
This is an Immediate Transfer Test that will be administered on Day 2 following completion of training on the Scooping Task. The participant is asked to transport cubes in an anterior-posterior direction away from their body, using the Box and Block Test apparatus, for 30 seconds. The score is the number of cubes that are transported within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of transported cubes will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Day 2
24-Hour Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (more affected arm)
Time Frame: Day 3
This is a 24-Hour Transfer Test that will be administered on Day 3. The participant is asked to transport cubes in an anterior-posterior direction away from their body, using the Box and Block Test apparatus, for 30 seconds. The score is the number of cubes that are transported within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of five trials (30 seconds each). The number of transported cubes will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Day 3
Self-Efficacy Rating for Scooping Task
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will be asked to rate their confidence in achieving various scores on the trained motor task (the Scooping Task). Self-Efficacy will be rated using a 10 point scale (0 = Not confident at all; 10 = Very confident) with higher scores indicating a better outcomes. Scores will be calculated by averaging Self-Efficacy ratings.
Day 2
Rating of Mood
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, participants will be asked to rate their mood using the valence subscale of the Self-Assessment Manikin, which is a non-verbal assessment of affect that has five pictures of smiling, neutral, and frowning faces. The participant rates their mood using a 9 point scale based on the pictures (1 = More positive affect; 9 = Less positive affect) with lower scores indicating a better outcome.
Day 2
Interest/Enjoyment Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the interest/enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater interest/enjoyment when practicing the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Day 2
Perceived Competence Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the perceived competence subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater perceived competence when practicing the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Day 2
Perceived Choice Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the perceived choice subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater perceived choice when practicing the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Day 2
Value Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the value subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater value associated with the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Day 2
Effort Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the effort subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater effort associated with the task (better outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Day 2
Pressure/Tension Subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory
Time Frame: Day 2
After completing training on Day 2, the participant will complete items from the pressure/tension subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. This is an assessment of participant's subjective experience of the Scooping Task. Participants will rate each statement according to how true it is for them, using a 7 point scale (1 = Not true at all; 7 = Very true). Higher scores indicate greater pressure/tension when practicing the task (worse outcome). Scores are calculated by averaging the item scores of the subscale.
Day 2

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
24-Hour Retention Test: Number of completed scoops (less affected arm)
Time Frame: Day 3
This is a 24-hour Retention Test of the trained motor task (the Scooping Task) that the participant practiced for 2 days. The participant is asked to use a spoon to scoop beans from one cup to another in an anterior-posterior direction, away from their body, for 30 seconds. One completed scoop occurs when at least one bean is transferred to the second cup. The score is the number of completed scoops that occur within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of two trials (30 seconds each). The number of completed scoops will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Day 3
Immediate Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (less affected arm)
Time Frame: Day 2
This is an Immediate Transfer Test that will be administered on Day 2 following completion of training on the Scooping Task. The participant is asked to transport cubes in an anterior-posterior direction away from their body, using the Box and Block Test apparatus, for 30 seconds. The score is the number of cubes that are transported within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of two trials (30 seconds each). The number of transported cubes will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Day 2
24-Hour Transfer Test: Number of transported cubes (less affected arm)
Time Frame: Day 3
This is a 24-Hour Transfer Test that will be administered on Day 3. The participant is asked to transport cubes in an anterior-posterior direction away from their body, using the Box and Block Test apparatus, for 30 seconds. The score is the number of cubes that are transported within 30 seconds. The participant will complete two blocks of two trials (30 seconds each). The number of transported cubes will be averaged across blocks of trials.
Day 3

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Columbia University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Dawn Nilsen, EdD, Columbia University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 22, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 16, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 16, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 1, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 1, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 13, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 12, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 8, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • AAAU1704

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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