Neurofeedback

Healthy Participants
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Are aged at least 19 years or older.
2. Can tolerate fNIRS for up to 90 minutes.
3. Able to maintain focus during testing blocks (with rest periods provided).
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Are unable to provide written and verbal informed consent for any reason.
2. Are unable to attend the data collection/training sessions.
3. Are unable to follow the study team’s verbal or written instructions in English.
4. Have any history of movement or neurological impairment (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
5. Have any relevant history of injury to the upper limb (e.g., fracture, ligamentous injury, etc.)

People living in the community with Stroke History
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Are aged at least 19 years or older.
2. Can tolerate fNIRS for up to 90 minutes.
3. Can maintain focus during testing blocks (with rest periods provided).
4. Have hemiparesis secondary to chronic stroke (I.e., >6 months ago) resulting in limited movement of the affected upper limb.
5. Can move the affected limb against gravity.
6. Living in the community
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Are unable to provide written and verbal informed consent for any reason.
2. Are unable to attend data collection/training sessions.
3. Are unable to follow the study team’s written or verbal instructions in English.
4. Have any relevant history of injury to the upper limb (e.g., bony fracture).
5. Have any history of neurological impairment other than stroke (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis).
6. Do not have any residual active movement of the affected limb.

Our study involves participants sitting in a quiet room where they will wear a functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) cap (like a shower cap) while they look at a computer screen which will tell them when to start and stop imagining moving their arm. They will practice imagining moving their arm for either 8, 30-minute sessions (4 separate dates, sessions are separated by a half hour break) or 4, 60-minute sessions. Participants can rest as much as they need to between the imagery sessions. Before they imagine movement, we will have participants reach and grasp an object like a cup at their own pace.

Participants with a history of stroke will complete the Fugl Meyer Assessment at the beginning of the study, which will take up to 30 minutes; hence, 90 minutes is the longest possible visit. The Fugl Meyer Assessment assesses movement and sensation. Sessions can be weekly or up to 3x/week depending on a participant's own scheduling preferences.

Principal Investigator: Sue Peters
Study posted on: October 16th, 2023
Recruitment open until: October 16th, 2025

For more information about this study please contact:
Fraser McRae
email: fmacrae2@uwo.ca
phone: 250-612-2756