After a stroke, some people find that they can hold an object like a glass of water in their affected hand but then struggle to let go of the glass when they put it down on the table. We are testing a drug called botulinum toxin to see if injections, combined with physiotherapy, can help improve this ability to let go.

The toxin has already been proven to help stroke survivors who are experiencing muscle stiffness (known as post-stroke spasticity) relax their muscle tone and improve passive movement. This helps with everyday tasks, such as washing or dressing. But there is a lack of evidence about whether it can help people who are having trouble with active movements, for example gripping, releasing and moving objects.

The research team are looking for stroke survivors to take part in this study. If you answer yes to most of the following questions then they would love to hear from you:
- Do you live in the London area (or could you travel to London 2 or 3 times a week for 4 to 5 weeks)?
- Are you able to actively move your fingers to straighten them a little bit?
- Can you grasp a drinking glass?
- Can you lift the glass up and put it on a table?
- Can you lift the glass up, put it on the table and let it go without help?
- Do you have difficulty loosening your grip on objects?
- Do you have trouble with muscle stiffness in your arm or hand?

If you have answered mostly yes to these questions, you may be a suitable volunteer to take part in this research project. Email Luci (the trial physiotherapist) on: l.crook@ucl.ac.uk or telephone: 0203 448 8758 to find out more. There is funding available to pay the travel costs of anyone who decides to take part.

Click here to see a flier with more information.