Project Grant K23HD120657

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded New York University $179,495 on September 1, 2026, under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) to investigate movement anxiety in stroke patients during inpatient rehabilitation.

The research will prospectively track upper extremity movement anxiety in subacute stroke patients using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, clinical scales, electronic health record data, and wrist-worn accelerometers to measure 24-hour spontaneous upper extremity use. The study comprises three aims: identifying patient factors that predict higher movement anxiety (hypothesizing upper extremity pain as the primary contributor and pain catastrophizing as secondary); identifying patient and rehabilitation factors that influence changes in movement anxiety during the inpatient rehabilitation course; and determining the relationship between movement anxiety and upper extremity use. The research addresses a gap in understanding movement anxiety related to upper extremity use post-stroke, where 48–83 percent of stroke patients experience movement anxiety but current rehabilitation interventions do not target this issue.

Place of performance is New York, New York. The award period runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031. New York University School of Medicine is the recipient and performing organization.