Research on upper-limb recovery after a stroke

Objective
To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of non-invasive deep brain stimulation combined with physiotherapy in patients who have experienced a stroke.

Background
Every day, we use our hands and arms to perform simple tasks. After a stroke, these tasks can become very difficult to perform. More than 100 million people live with arm or hand paralysis after a stroke. Unfortunately, rehabilitation options are still limited.

The study
This study (in collaboration with the Clinique Romande de Réadaptation in Sion, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, and Geneva University Hospitals) aims to test an intensive upper-limb rehabilitation protocol.

Can I participate?

✔️You are 18 years old or older

✔️ You had an ischemic stroke more than 3 months ago

✔️ This was your first stroke and resulted in a motor impairment

✔️ You have difficulties with your arm or hand

Study procedure

Your participation is voluntary.

You will have the opportunity to ask any questions during an interview with the investigator before making your final decision.

If you agree to participate, you will take part in one week of intensive physiotherapy (3 sessions of 30 minutes per day, over 5 consecutive days), combined with non-invasive brain stimulation (either active stimulation or placebo stimulation), as well as three assessments (one week before the start of physiotherapy, the week following the intensive therapy period, and approximately 3 months later).

Benefits

• Intensive upper-limb physiotherapy for 1 week.

• You will take part in an ambitious research project using cutting-edge neuroscience technologies to find solutions to accelerate upper-limb recovery after stroke.

Study Team and Contact Information

NIMBUS is a multicenter clinical study conducted across several Swiss clinical sites, bringing together researchers and healthcare professionals with expertise in rehabilitation and clinical research.

EPFL – CRR SUVA, Sion
Study Coordinator
Lisa Fleury · lisa.fleury@epfl.ch
Camille E. Proulx (interim) · camille.proulx@epfl.ch

Lucerne Cantonal Hospital (LUKS)
Local Study Coordinator & Therapist
Gerda Wyssen · gerda.wyssen@luks.ch
André Hürlimann · andre.huerlimann@luks.ch

Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)
Local Study Coordinator
Naz Doganci · naz.doganci@unige.ch

The NIMBUS study is conducted in collaboration with participating clinical centres across Switzerland.