Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * age comprised between 35 and 85 years * diagnosis of a single unilateral subcortical stroke event occurring more than 6 months prior to enrollment resulting in upper extremity paresis (weakness) of one arm, * presence of residual upper extremity motor function, demonstrated by the ability to actively supinate (rotate hand toward "palm-up" direction) the paretic forearm to neutral and to voluntarily extend (bend wrist toward back of the hand) and radially deviate (bend wrist toward thumb side) the paretic wrist at least 5 degrees, * adequate cognition to provide informed consent and fully follow instruction (MOCA score of at least 19), * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * more than 1 stroke, * clinical or radiological evidence of damage to the cerebellum or brainstem, * contra-indications to MRI (i.e. pacemakers, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, metallic implants, pregnancy, claustrophobia, permanent metal braces, or other implanted devices not approved for 3T imaging - see CBBI MRI Safety Checklist for details), * weight \>400 pounds and/or unable or too uncomfortable to fit the torso into the MRI bore, * musculoskeletal or other neurologic (non-stroke) conditions directly affecting the paretic wrist or hand function (such as tendinitis, arthritis, hand or wrist orthopaedic surgery in the last 6 months, diagnosis of carpal tunnel, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc.) * inability to follow instructions on the motor task or understand protocol description (e.g. due to cognitive deficits) * participation in additional Occupational or Physical Therapy in which they are doing hand/arm exercises while enrolled in this study * received Botox injections in the past 3 months prior to or during participation in the study