# Factors impacting locomotor learning following stroke

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2021 · $11,604

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Stroke often results in numerous physical impairments that limit functional mobility, making it the leading cause
of long-term disability in the United States. A primary goal for rehabilitation professionals and stroke survivors
is to improve walking abilities. Despite significant efforts to improve walking, many stroke survivors are unable
to walk independently after their stroke. This is in part due to variability in how stroke survivors respond to
rehabilitation interventions. Because motor learning is the foundation for effective rehabilitation interventions,
variability in locomotor learning after stroke is one source of this variability. To date, there is almost no
information on factors that account for this variability, making if challenging to customize post stroke
rehabilitation interventions. Previous research has examined demographic information and sensorimotor
impairments as potential factors to explain variability in locomotor learning after stroke; however, these factors
have not been found to explain a significant portion of variability. In healthy adults, cognition has been found to
explain variability in learning upper extremity tasks, but this has not been examined in walking or after stroke,
where cognitive deficits are common. Thus, the overall goal of this proposal is to determine the relationship
between cognition and locomotor learning after stroke. In Aim 1 we will examine the relationship between
learning a new walking pattern and fluid cognition in stroke survivors. In Aim 2, we will examine the relationship
between remembering the new walking pattern (i.e. retention) and fluid cognition in stroke survivors. The
results of this project will address critical gaps in our understanding of locomotor learning after stroke and allow
us to better customize rehabilitation interventions to optimize post stroke outcomes. Additionally, this proposed
work serves as a first step towards the long-term goal of this fellowship applicant, which is to become a
successful clinician scientist focused on developing personalized rehabilitation interventions that optimize
functional recovery after stroke. By completing this fellowship proposal under the guidance of experienced
mentors in a strong research environment, the applicant will receive the training needed to successfully
complete the proposed work, to develop into a productive scientist, and to achieve her long term career goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10053683
- **Project number:** 5F31NS111806-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Margaret French
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $11,604
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-01 → 2021-02-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10053683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10053683, Factors impacting locomotor learning following stroke (5F31NS111806-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10053683. Licensed CC0.

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