Recruiting

Testing a hand-opening device to improve grip strength after stroke

Plain-English translation of NCT04804384 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

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This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study is testing a wearable device called a prehension neuroprosthesis that uses electrical stimulation to help people who have had a stroke regain control of their hand. The device is designed to help your fingers open and close more naturally so you can pick up and hold everyday objects like a glass or a spoon. Researchers want to see if this device can meaningfully improve your ability to perform daily tasks.

After a stroke, about half of patients lose the ability to actively open their fingers, and there are no good solutions to help them recover a functional grip. This treatment could offer an alternative to bulky exoskeletons and overcome limitations of older stimulation methods that didn't work well for stroke patients.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have had a stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) more than one month ago, confirmed by brain imaging
you are unable to actively open your fingers to grab an empty glass or spoon, but can hold one passively
you are able to sit comfortably in a chair for at least 90 minutes
you are at least 18 years old and not pregnant or breastfeeding
you are enrolled in a rehabilitation center for at least 5 consecutive days as part of your standard care

You likely don't qualify if…

you have tight muscles or stiff joints in your fingers, wrist, or hand that prevent passive opening
you have pain in your upper arm that limits your ability to grasp objects
you have severe loss of sensation in your upper arm or hand
you have a pacemaker or unstable heart disease or active epilepsy
the nerve and muscle that control finger extension cannot respond adequately to electrical stimulation

What participation looks like

You will visit the study center 5 times over 5 days while you are already staying at a rehabilitation center as part of your regular care. Each visit will last about 1.5 to 2 hours and will include wearing the electrical stimulation device while researchers measure your hand function using standardized tests like picking up a glass or holding a spoon. You will be assessed on whether the device helps you perform these everyday gripping tasks better than you can without it.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 1, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

France

University Hospital, Toulouse