# MINT conditioning to improve post-stroke gait

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $689,536

## Abstract

Stroke is one of the most common causes of long-term disability. About 60% of stroke survivors have
impaired leg movement, leading to reduced walking speed and quality of life. One contributor to leg impairment
appears to be abnormal co-activation of leg muscles, especially hip adductors and knee extensors. This is similar
to the abnormal co-activation (a.k.a. abnormal synergies) that contributes to impaired arm movement after
stroke. We have developed a Myoelectric Interface for NeurorehabiliTation (MINT) paradigm to counteract
abnormal co-activation. Our prior work and preliminary results have shown that MINT conditioning to reduce co-
activation can improve arm movement even in chronic stroke survivors, and that an early wearable version had
relatively high adherence and enjoyment. The long-term goal of this research is to develop an inexpensive,
robust, wearable device for home-based MINT conditioning and translate it into clinical use for improving
movement in both arm and leg. The objectives of this proposal are 1) to build robust, completely wireless EMG
sensors and more engaging games to enable user-friendly, home-based therapy, 2) to test MINT conditioning’s
ability to reduce leg muscle co-activation and improve gait in chronic stroke survivors, and 3) to determine the
mechanisms behind the response to MINT conditioning. Our preliminary results show that MINT conditioning
can be used in the leg and can improve gait kinematics and walking speed, a key goal of locomotor recovery.
We hypothesize that MINT conditioning will improve leg function and walking in stroke survivors. We will achieve
our objectives via the following specific aims: 1) develop a robust MINT system using wireless electrodes and
more engaging games; 2) test the impact of MINT conditioning on leg movement; and 3) investigate mechanisms
of changes from MINT conditioning. This proposal’s innovative combination of inexpensive, completely wireless,
wearable devices and engaging, commercial-quality games will improve robustness and enhance translational
potential. Achieving our objectives will be significant because it will establish that abnormal co-activation of hip
adductors and knee extensors impairs gait. It will also facilitate the development of an enhanced, rehabilitative
therapy to improve function after stroke that could be used widely and potentially could help severely impaired
stroke survivors. The enhanced therapy will increase enjoyment and enable use in any location, both of which
are critical to increasing the dose of, and engagement with, therapy, which in turn increase the likelihood of
recovery. We expect that MINT conditioning will be synergistic with existing therapies, given its novel mechanism
of action (reducing abnormal co-activation using myoelectric signals). The research will also provide fundamental
understanding of the mechanism of improvement due to MINT conditioning—specifically, where in the CNS
changes occur due to rehabilitation after a str...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10820784
- **Project number:** 1R01HD113270-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Yasin Yousef Dhaher
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $689,536
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10820784

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10820784, MINT conditioning to improve post-stroke gait (1R01HD113270-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10820784. Licensed CC0.

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