ReTICS Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reticulospinal Tract Investigation in Chronic Stroke
IRAS ID
342902
Contact name
Nick Ward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2024/05/95 , UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
There are over 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK and more than 100,000 people having strokes each year (State of the Nation Stroke Statistics, 2018). A major impairment affecting more than three quarters of all stroke patients is hemiparesis (weakness of one half of the body). Many of these stroke survivors continue to experience poor upper limb function for the rest of their life. Intensive rehabilitation programmes such as the Queen Square Upper Limb (QSUL) programme have demonstrated that substantial improvements can still be made during the chronic (post 6 months) stage of stroke (Ward, Brander and Kelly, 2019).
Chronic stroke survivors are varied in upper limb function, anatomical damage and physiology, which results in the need for tailored rehabilitation programmes, however, there is still little evidence demonstrating how the individual physiology of chronic stroke survivors interacts with rehabilitation. This study will implement new methods to assess the reticulospinal tract, a key pathway for motor recovery after stroke. It will measure the influence of intensive neurorehabilitation upon this tract and different hemiparesis parameters in an observational cohort study design. Participants will be assessed with behavioural tests, kinematic measurements, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Chronic stroke survivors without contradictions to TMS will be eligible for either one or two sessions (3 weeks apart). Stroke survivors enrolled on the QSUL programme can take part in this study, which will enable us to understand the impact of rehabilitation on motor physiology. Additionally, healthy volunteers will be assessed for comparison. The study will take place at the Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, 33 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG. In the future, grouping stroke survivors according to physiological measurements may allow for individual tailoring of rehabilitation programmes to fit stroke survivors’ needs, supporting them to make the best recovery possible.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0139
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion