The investigators will use 3D freehand ultrasound to investigate changes in musclemorphology of the paretic m. rectus femoris and m. gastrocnemius medialis during thefirst 3 months after stroke. Additionally, 2D ultrasound and surface EMG will besynchronized to examine muscle activation and morphological changes resulting from thisactivation. Clinical tests will be conducted on the same test occasions to objectifylower limb impairment and gait recovery. As such, the investigators will explore therelationship between the muscle specific changes and functional recovery.
During this longitudinal study, patients who suffer their first-ever stroke will be
included within the first week after their stroke (if the inclusion criteria are met).
Thereafter, each participant will be assessed at four pre-determined time-points: week 1,
5, 8 and 12 after stroke.
On each of the four time-points, the investigators will assess muscle specific parameters
of the affected m. rectus femoris (RF) and m. gastrocnemius medialis (GM), together with
clinical tests to assess lower limb impairment (Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the lower limb
and the Tardieu scale) and gait parameters (10-meter walk test). Specifically, muscle
specific parameters will be investigated using 3D freehand ultrasound (3DfUS) and
combined dynamic 2D US and surface electromyography (sEMG). Such assessments will help us
characterize the electromechanical properties of these muscles, their time-related
trajectories and the relationship with the recovery of gait and lower limb function after
stroke. At the end of the investigation period, after 3 months, patients who can walk
independently will perform a 3D gait analysis. As such, the relationship between changes
in muscle specific parameters and the eventual gait quality at the end of the
investigation period will be investigated.
Other: Longitudinal prospective cohort study
Patients after stroke who meet the in- and exclusion criteria will be examined 4 times
during the first 3 months after their stroke.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults (≥ 18 years old)
- Diagnosed with a first-ever stroke (as defined by WHO)
- Stroke onset ≤ 1 week (± 3 days)
- Able to provide written or verbal informed consent at admission
- Presence of gait problems as a consequence of the stroke (FAC≤4)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of other neurological or orthopedic problems present prior to, or not
caused as a direct consequence of, the stroke leading to impaired gait.
- Modified Ranking scale pre-stroke > 1/6, meaning presence of slight disability
before the stroke.
- Presence of severe comorbidities (e.g. osteoporosis, cardiovascular instability or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
- Cerebellar or bilateral stroke.
- Presence of severe deficits in communication, memory or understanding precluding
informed consent.
Not Provided
Daan De Vlieger, Msc.
+32 (0)2 477 44 89
daan.de.vlieger@vub.be
Eva Swinnen, Professor, Principal Investigator
Vrije Universiteit Brussel