Personalized Post-Stroke Gait Rehabilitation Interventions

The objective of this study is to understand whether certain post-stroke patient subsets, identified from clinical, biomechanical, and neuromuscular characteristics, preferentially respond to different walking rehabilitation interventions that augment paretic limb propulsion (e.g., soft robotic exosuits or electrical stimulation neuroprostheses). The results of this work could improve post-stroke gait recovery outcomes by informing clinical decision-making to better match patients with rehabilitation devices tailored to their specific gait characteristics.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a stroke event occurring at least 6 months ago * Observable gait deficits * Independent ambulation for at least 30 meters (using an assistive device as needed but without a rigid brace or ankle foot orthosis) * Passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion to neutral with the knee extended * Ability to follow a 3-step command * Resting heart rate between 40-100 bpm * Resting blood pressure between 90/60 and 170/90 mmHg * NIH Stroke Scale Question 1b score \> 1 and Question 1c score \> 0 * HIPAA authorization to allow communication with healthcare provider * Medical clearance by a physician Exclusion Criteria: * Severe aphasia or inability to communicate with investigators * Neglect or hemianopia * Score of \>1 on question 1b and \>0 on question 1c on the NIH Stroke Scale * Serious comorbidities that may interfere with ability to participate in the research (e.g., musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary) * Pacemakers or similar electrical implants that could be affected by the FES * Pressure ulcers or skin wounds located near human-device interface sites * More than 2 unexplained falls in the previous month * Actively receiving physical therapy for walking