Spinal Cord InjuriesGEchoNCT06474117
Muscle-tendon Interaction in the Spastic Sural Triceps During Gait
An observational study of Spinal Cord Injuries and Stroke, run by Nantes University Hospital at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
This project aims to study the mechanical behavior of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and the Achilles tendon (AT) in post-stroke and spinal cord injured (SCI) patients compared to a healthy population, focusing on the variations in muscle and tendon length during the stance phase of… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke
- What is being tested?
- Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound and Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 15 Nov 2024to 17 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Healthy subjects, post-stroke subject, SCI subjects
Who may be able to join
- Post-Stroke Population:
- Adult male or female
- Patient who had a stroke more than 7 days ago
- Patient hospitalized (in conventional hospitalization or day hospital) in the university neurological rehabilitation department of CHU de Nantes
- Patient with voluntary motor function graded between 2 and 4 on the MRC (Medical Research Council) scale at the GM level
- Patient classified between 3 and 8 on the New Functional Ambulation Classification
Show all 14Show fewer
- Post-Spinal Cord Injury Population:
- Adult male or female
- Patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury classified as ASIA AIS C or D from level C2 to L5
- Patient hospitalized (in conventional hospitalization or day hospital) in the neurological rehabilitation department of CHU de Nantes
- Patient with voluntary motor function graded between 2 and 4 on the MRC (Medical Research Council) scale at the GM level
- Patient classified between 3 and 8 on the New Functional Ambulation Classification
- Healthy Population:
- Adult male or female without any neurological disorders
Who cannot join
- Post-Stroke and Post-Spinal Cord Injury Population:
- Minor patient
- History of calf surgery, surgery to reduce triceps surae spasticity, or intramuscular injection (e.g., botulinum toxin) in the plantar flexors within the last 6 months
- Patient with a progressive condition contraindicating physical exertion (e.g., syrinx, cardiovascular instability)
- Peripheral pathology of the considered lower limb
- Healthy Population:
Show all 9Show fewer
- History of calf surgery
- History of muscle injury, fracture, or sprain of the lower limb within the last 3 months
- History of neurological disorders
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This project aims to study the mechanical behavior of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and the Achilles tendon (AT) in post-stroke and spinal cord injured (SCI) patients compared to a healthy population, focusing on the variations in muscle and tendon length during the stance phase of the gait cycle. The primary objective is to assess the respective contributions of the GM and AT lengthening in the MTU during walking. Inclusion criteria include adult post-stroke and post-SCI patients with voluntary motor function and some walking capacity. Methods include ultrasound measurements and 3D gait analysis.
Read the detailed description
Primary Objective: Evaluate the respective contributions of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle and the Achilles tendon (AT) within the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) during the single support phase of walking in post-stroke patients compared to healthy subjects.
Study Description: Strokes often lead to spastic paresis, degrading patients' walking performance. Instrumented gait analysis allows for the evaluation of these performances to propose adapted therapeutic strategies. This project will compare muscle and tendon behavior during walking between healthy individuals and post-stroke patients.
Methodology:
- Participants: Adult post-stroke patients or incomplete SCI patients with voluntary motor function on the triceps surae and walking capacity. Control group composed of healthy adults.
- Procedures:
- Measure the force/length profile of the GM on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound.
- Conduct gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the AT and GM.
- Compare muscle and tendon length data during the stance phase of the gait cycle between the two groups.
- Conditions
- Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke
- Being tested
- Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound, Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound
- Keywords
- Gait, Echography, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke
- Medical subject headings
- Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Gait analysis coupled with ultrasoundOther
Measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle
Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasoundOther
Measure the force/length profile of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Stroke Patients | Patients will undergo gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. They will also have their force/length profile of the GM measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound Receives: Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound; Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound | |
| Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients | Similar to the post-stroke group, these patients will undergo gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. The force/length profile of the GM will also be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound. Receives: Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound; Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound | |
| Healthy controls | The healthy control group will undergo the same gait analysis and ultrasound measurements as the patient groups. Their force/length profile of the GM will also be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound for comparison with the post-stroke and post-spinal cord injury groups. Receives: Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound; Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Length of the Achilles Tendon (AT), Muscle Fibers of the Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), and the Muscle GM During the Single Support Phase of Walking
This measure involves the use of ultrasound to assess the lengths of the Achilles tendon, muscle fibers of the gastrocnemius medialis, and the entire muscle GM during the single support phase of the gait cycle in post-stroke and SCI patients compared to healthy controls. The primary goal is to determine the contributions of the muscle and tendon to the overall muscle-tendon unit during walking.
Measured: 1 Day
Secondary outcomes (1)
Positioning of the Muscle Fibers on the Force-Length Curve During Different Phases of Walking
This outcome measure evaluates the positioning of the muscle fibers of the gastrocnemius medialis on the force-length curve during various phases of the gait cycle, including the single support phase and the double support phases (reception and propulsion). The measurements will be compared between post-stroke, SCI patients and healthy controls. The assessment will involve ultrasound measurements and isokinetic dynamometry to determine the force-length relationship.
Measured: 1 Day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2024
- Study start15 Nov 2024
- Primary completion17 Feb 2026
- Study completion17 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Spinal Cord InjuriesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Nantes University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nantes University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Laboratoire Motricité, Interactions, Performance (MIP), Société Française de Physiothérapie (SFP).
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06474117
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RC24_0274
- Other IDs
- 2024-A01157-40
- Acronym
- GEcho
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Jun 2024
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Lecharte T, Leboeuf F, Gross R, Sarcher A, Nordez A, Le Sant G. Impaired gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon decoupling reduces gait efficiency in spastic paresis syndrome. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2026 Aug 4;69(7):102151. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2026.102151. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42551247
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Muscle-tendon Interaction in the Spastic Sural Triceps During Gait
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06474117
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- GEcho / RC24_0274
- Conditions
- Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke
- Keywords
- Gait, Echography, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nantes University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Laboratoire Motricité, Interactions, Performance (MIP), Société Française de Physiothérapie (SFP).
- Study start
- 15 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This project aims to study the mechanical behavior of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and the Achilles tendon (AT) in post-stroke and spinal cord injured (SCI) patients compared to a healthy population, focusing on the variations in muscle and tendon length during the stance phase of the gait cycle. The primary objective is to assess the respective contributions of the GM and AT lengthening in the MTU during walking. Inclusion criteria include adult post-stroke and post-SCI patients with voluntary motor function and some walking capacity. Methods include ultrasound measurements and 3D gait analysis.
Detailed description
Primary Objective: Evaluate the respective contributions of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle and the Achilles tendon (AT) within the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) during the single support phase of walking in post-stroke patients compared to healthy subjects.
Study Description: Strokes often lead to spastic paresis, degrading patients' walking performance. Instrumented gait analysis allows for the evaluation of these performances to propose adapted therapeutic strategies. This project will compare muscle and tendon behavior during walking between healthy individuals and post-stroke patients.
Methodology:
- Participants: Adult post-stroke patients or incomplete SCI patients with voluntary motor function on the triceps surae and walking capacity. Control group composed of healthy adults.
- Procedures:
- Measure the force/length profile of the GM on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound.
- Conduct gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the AT and GM.
- Compare muscle and tendon length data during the stance phase of the gait cycle between the two groups.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Stroke Patients | – | Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound, Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasoundPatients will undergo gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. They will also have their force/length profile of the GM measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound |
| Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients | – | Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound, Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasoundSimilar to the post-stroke group, these patients will undergo gait analysis coupled with ultrasound to measure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. The force/length profile of the GM will also be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound. |
| Healthy controls | – | Other: Gait analysis coupled with ultrasound, Other: Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasoundThe healthy control group will undergo the same gait analysis and ultrasound measurements as the patient groups. Their force/length profile of the GM will also be measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasound for comparison with the post-stroke and post-spinal cord injury groups. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Healthy subjects, post-stroke subject, SCI subjects
Key inclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Adult male or female
- Patient who had a stroke more than 7 days ago
- Patient hospitalized (in conventional hospitalization or day hospital) in the university neurological rehabilitation department of CHU de Nantes
- Patient with voluntary motor function graded between 2 and 4 on the MRC (Medical Research Council) scale at the GM level
- Patient classified between 3 and 8 on the New Functional Ambulation Classification
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Minor patient
- History of calf surgery, surgery to reduce triceps surae spasticity, or intramuscular injection (e.g., botulinum toxin) in the plantar flexors within the last 6 months
- Patient with a progressive condition contraindicating physical exertion (e.g., syrinx, cardiovascular instability)
- Peripheral pathology of the considered lower limb
- History of calf surgery
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Gait analysis coupled with ultrasoundMeasure the lengths of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius medialis muscle | Other | Healthy controls, Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients, Post-Stroke Patients |
| Isokinetic dynamometer with simultaneous ultrasoundMeasure the force/length profile of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle | Other | Healthy controls, Post-Spinal Cord Injury Patients, Post-Stroke Patients |
Primary outcome
Length of the Achilles Tendon (AT), Muscle Fibers of the Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), and the Muscle GM During the Single Support Phase of Walking
Time frame: 1 Day
This measure involves the use of ultrasound to assess the lengths of the Achilles tendon, muscle fibers of the gastrocnemius medialis, and the entire muscle GM during the single support phase of the gait cycle in post-stroke and SCI patients compared to healthy controls. The primary goal is to determine the contributions of the muscle and tendon to the overall muscle-tendon unit during walking.
1 secondary outcome
Positioning of the Muscle Fibers on the Force-Length Curve During Different Phases of Walking
Time frame: 1 Day
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Mar 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42551247Lecharte T, Leboeuf F, Gross R, Sarcher A, Nordez A, Le Sant G. Impaired gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon decoupling reduces gait efficiency in spastic paresis syndrome. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2026 Aug 4;69(7):102151. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2026.102151. Online ahead of print.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Spinal Cord Injuries and Stroke, run by Nantes University Hospital at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Length of the Achilles Tendon (AT), Muscle Fibers of the Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), and the Muscle GM During the Single Support Phase of Walking (time frame: 1 Day). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06474117, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Mar 2026.