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Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Morphological and Functional Characteristics of Intercostal Muscles in Stroke Patients and Their Relationship With Clinical Parameters

22 de junho de 2026 atualizado por: Marmara University
The aim of this study is to evaluate the morphological and functional characteristics of parasternal intercostal muscles in patients with stroke using ultrasonography. Parasternal intercostal muscle thickness and thickening fraction will be assessed on both the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides. The relationship between ultrasonographic findings and respiratory muscle strength, motor function, balance, functional independence, and quality of life will also be investigated. A healthy control group will be included to establish reference values and enable comparative analyses.

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Ainda não está recrutando

Condições

Descrição detalhada

Stroke frequently leads to respiratory muscle dysfunction due to impaired central motor control. Although diaphragm involvement after stroke has been extensively investigated, there is limited evidence regarding the morphological and functional characteristics of extra-diaphragmatic inspiratory muscles, particularly the parasternal intercostal muscles.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate parasternal intercostal muscle morphology and contractility in individuals with stroke using ultrasonography. Parasternal intercostal muscle thickness will be measured at end-tidal expiration and maximal inspiration, and intercostal muscle thickening fraction (ICTf) will be calculated as an indicator of muscle contractility. Measurements will be obtained bilaterally, allowing comparison between the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides.

In addition, diaphragm thickness and diaphragm thickening fraction will be assessed using ultrasonography. Respiratory muscle strength will be evaluated by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) measurements according to ATS/ERS recommendations. Pulmonary function tests including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio will also be performed.

Clinical outcomes including motor impairment, balance, functional independence, and stroke-specific quality of life will be assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL), respectively.

A healthy control group matched for age, sex, and body mass index will be included to establish reference values for parasternal intercostal muscle ultrasonographic measurements and to allow comparative analyses between stroke patients and healthy individuals.

The study is designed as a single-center, controlled cross-sectional observational study. A minimum of 40 individuals with stroke and 25 healthy volunteers will be enrolled. Associations between ultrasonographic respiratory muscle measurements and clinical parameters will be analyzed to improve understanding of respiratory muscle involvement after stroke and its relationship with functional outcomes.

Tipo de estudo

Observacional

Inscrição (Estimado)

65

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Contato de estudo

Estude backup de contato

Locais de estudo

    • Maltepe
      • Istanbul, Maltepe, Turquia (Türkiye), 34854
        • Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi
        • Contato:

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

  • Adulto
  • Adulto mais velho

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Sim

Método de amostragem

Amostra Não Probabilística

População do estudo

Adults with a history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke attending the outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic of Marmara University, and age-eligible healthy volunteers recruited as controls.

Descrição

Inclusion Criteria (Stroke Group):

  • Age between 18 and 75 years.
  • History of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
  • Ability to understand and comply with study procedures.
  • Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria (Stroke Group):

  • Presence of acute or chronic pulmonary disease.
  • History of thoracic or abdominal surgery.
  • Presence of another neuromuscular disorder.
  • Aphasia or cognitive impairment preventing participation in assessments.
  • Active malignancy.

Inclusion Criteria (Healthy Control Group):

  • Age between 18 and 75 years.
  • Willingness to participate in the study.
  • Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria (Healthy Control Group):

  • History of stroke or other neurological disorders.
  • History of chronic respiratory disease (e.g., COPD, asthma).
  • Chest wall deformity.
  • Presence of systemic diseases that may affect muscle function.

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

Coortes e Intervenções

Grupo / Coorte
Group 1: Stroke Patients
Adults aged 18-75 years with a history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who meet the study eligibility criteria. A minimum of 40 participants will be enrolled in this group.
Group 2: Healthy Controls
Age-eligible healthy volunteers without a history of stroke, neurological disease, chronic respiratory disease, chest wall deformity, or systemic disease affecting muscle function. A minimum of 25 participants will be enrolled in this group.

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Parasternal Intercostal Muscle Thickening Fraction (ICTf)
Prazo: Baseline
Ultrasonographic assessment of parasternal intercostal muscle contractility. Thickening fraction will be calculated as: (Inspiratory Thickness - Expiratory Thickness) / Expiratory Thickness × 100. Higher values indicate greater inspiratory muscle contractile activity. Comparison will be performed between the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides.
Baseline

Medidas de resultados secundários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Parasternal Intercostal Muscle Thickness
Prazo: Baseline
Ultrasonography will be used to examine the structure and function of the muscle and to measure muscle thickness at the end of inspiration and expiration.
Baseline
Intercostal Muscle Asymmetry Index
Prazo: Baseline
Intercostal Muscle Asymmetry Index (AI) is a normalized measure of side-to-side differences in parasternal intercostal muscle contractility. The asymmetry index is calculated using the formula |TF₁ - TF₂| / [(TF₁ + TF₂)/2] × 100, where TF represents the intercostal muscle thickening fraction measured by ultrasonography. Higher values indicate greater asymmetry between the two sides, whereas lower values indicate more symmetrical intercostal muscle function.
Baseline
Relative Hemiplegic Deficit
Prazo: Baseline
Relative Hemiplegic Deficit is a measure of the reduction in parasternal intercostal muscle contractility on the hemiplegic side relative to the non-hemiplegic side in individuals with stroke. It is calculated using the formula [(TFnon-hemiplegic - TFhemiplegic) / TFnon-hemiplegic] × 100, where TF represents the intercostal muscle thickening fraction measured by ultrasonography. Higher values indicate a greater functional deficit of the hemiplegic side, while lower values indicate more preserved intercostal muscle function.
Baseline
Diaphragm Thickening Fraction
Prazo: Baseline
Diaphragm contractility assessed by ultrasonography. Thickening fraction is calculated as [(Thickness at maximal inspiration - Thickness at end-expiration) / Thickness at end-expiration] × 100. Higher values indicate greater diaphragm contractile function.
Baseline
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Prazo: Baseline
Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) is a measurement that evaluates the strength of the inspiratory muscles. This test measures the negative pressure created when a person breathes in at maximum effort. MIP assesses the strength of respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, and is used to diagnose conditions characterized by respiratory muscle weakness.
Baseline
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Prazo: Baseline
Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) is a measurement that evaluates the strength of the expiratory muscles. This test measures the positive pressure generated when a person exhales with maximum effort. MEP assesses the strength of expiratory muscles, including the abdominal and internal intercostal muscles, and is commonly used to evaluate respiratory muscle function and identify conditions associated with expiratory muscle weakness. Higher values indicate greater expiratory muscle strength.
Baseline
Fugl-Meyer Assessment Score
Prazo: Baseline
The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) is a stroke-specific impairment scale used to evaluate motor recovery after stroke. The motor domain score ranges from 0 to 100 points, with higher scores indicating better motor function and less motor impairment.
Baseline
Berg Balance Scale Score
Prazo: Baseline
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) consists of 14 tasks assessing static and dynamic balance. Scores range from 0 to 56 points. Higher scores indicate better balance performance and lower fall risk, whereas lower scores indicate greater balance impairment.
Baseline
Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Score
Prazo: Baseline
The Functional Independence Measure assesses the level of disability and functional independence in activities of daily living. Total scores range from 18 to 126 points. Higher scores indicate greater independence and lower levels of assistance required.
Baseline
Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (SS-QoL) Score
Prazo: Baseline
Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL) is used to assess the life expectancy of a stroke survivor. It is specifically designed for individuals who have had a stroke. Both personal and psychosocial effects are assessed collectively. Scores range from 49-245. Higher scores indicate better functioning.
Baseline

Colaboradores e Investigadores

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Patrocinador

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados ​​pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Estimado)

15 de julho de 2026

Conclusão Primária (Estimado)

15 de setembro de 2026

Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)

1 de outubro de 2026

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

22 de junho de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

22 de junho de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

26 de junho de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)

26 de junho de 2026

Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade

22 de junho de 2026

Última verificação

1 de junho de 2026

Mais Informações

Termos relacionados a este estudo

Plano para dados de participantes individuais (IPD)

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NÃO

Informações sobre medicamentos e dispositivos, documentos de estudo

Estuda um medicamento regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Estuda um produto de dispositivo regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

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