Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Utah, Office of Sponsored Projects Division, received a $667,666 Project Grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), awarded June 3, 2026, with completion expected May 31, 2031. This research initiative develops and evaluates a novel multimodal intervention combining Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (TRNS) with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)-assisted task-specific practice to promote motor recovery and neuroplasticity in stroke survivors with moderate-to-severe upper extremity impairment. The intervention targets the substantial population of stroke survivors—approximately 65% of the 800,000 annual U.S. stroke cases—who experience chronic moderate-to-severe arm and hand limitations that impede functional daily activities and independence.

The research addresses a critical clinical gap by investigating whether TRNS, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that enhances neural signal transmission through random electrical currents applied to the lesioned brain hemisphere, can augment the modest and transient benefits of conventional FES-assisted therapy alone. Preliminary data indicate that this combined approach produces profound increases in brain excitability and significant improvements in upper extremity impairment. This evidence-based multimodal intervention development represents a substantial advancement beyond existing neuromodulatory approaches and addresses the urgent need for more effective rehabilitation strategies for the most severely impaired stroke survivor populations.