Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Ballistic Strength Training in Stroke: A Phase II Randomized, Controlled, Assessor Blinded Pilot Study
Brief Summary: This pilot study intends to evaluate whether stroke patients can complete ballistic strength exercises for thirty minutes, three times per week over a six week training period in addition to their existing rehabilitation program.

It will evaluate whether using ballistic training principles, is superior in improving mobility compared with usual care exercises to improve mobility and leg strength in stroke patients.

In this study there will be 15 participants per group, a total of 30 participants. The control group will receive usual care consistent with existing rehabilitation practice and literature. The experimental group will perform task specific strength training in a ballistic fashion.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* First time clinical ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident (radiologically confirmed)
* Demonstrates adequate balance while wearing a hand restraint on the unaffected arm
* Ability to stand from a sitting position and ability to stand with or without upper extremity support
* Stroke onset at least 6 months prior to study enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant pre-stroke disability
* Any substantial decrease in alertness, language reception, or attention that might interfere with understanding instructions for motor testing
* Excessive pain in any joint of the paretic extremity
* A terminal medical diagnosis consistent with survival of less than 1 year
* Advanced liver, kidney, cardiac, or pulmonary disease
* Coexistent major neurological or psychiatric disease (including epilepsy)
* A history of significant alcohol or drug abuse in the prior 3 years
* Use of neuropsychotropic drugs - such as antidepressants
* Patients may not be actively enrolled in a separate intervention study targeting stroke recovery
* Patients may not have already received constraint-induced movement therapy and/or tDCS treatment for stroke
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Inpatient at Caulfield Hospital Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at the time of recruitment
* Diagnosis of first stroke
* Presence of lower limb weakness determined by \>10% difference in knee extensor strength between sides
* Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) \> 3
* Can walk a minimal distance of 14 metres (to allow measurement on a 10metre walk test (10MWT)

Participants who meet all the inclusion criteria except for their FAC score will have their FAC score re-measured on a weekly basis until they reach a score of greater than or equal to 3, at which point they become eligible and will be approached for recruitment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to provide informed consent (determined by consultation with rehabilitation consultant and the team neuropsychologist)
* Other diagnosed central nervous system disorder affecting mobility
* Active oncological diagnosis
* Unstable medication condition such as unstable diabetes or unstable cardiac condition that would prevent participation in cardiovascular activity
* Recent orthopaedic trauma and/or osteoarthritis that would limit participation in physical exercise
* Not willing to continue to attend the program if they discharge home before the end of the six week program
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 40 - 85
* Had a stroke at least 12 months ago
* OR are a healthy adult who does not have a history of neurodegenerative disorders
* Have the ability to understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindication to brain stimulation (such as a history of seizure or epilepsy)
* Contraindication to MRI (such as a pacemaker, metal in the eyes / brain or fear of enclosed spaces)
* Neurodegenerative disorder ( such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimers disease or Multiple Sclerosis)
* Contraindications to exercise
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* first episode of unilateral stroke
* time since stroke less than 3 months, i.e., acute or subacute stage
* initial motor part of upper limb of FMA score ranging from 10 to 40, indicating severe to moderate movement impairment
* no serious cognitive impairment (i.e., Mini Mental State Exam score \> 23)

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnant or breastfeeding women
* aphasia that might interfere with understanding instructions
* major health problems or poor physical conditions that might limit participation
* currently participation in any other research. Potential participants will be also excluded if they have any contraindication to fMRI scanning including claustrophobia, seizures, the presence of pacemaker, mental elements (e.g., steel nails) inside the body or in the eyes, and excessive obesity.

Answer: B