Investigating how placebo effects can aid recovery in stroke patients
Official title: Mechanisms of Open and Hidden Placebo in Stroke Recovery
Funded at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-10900695 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain responds to different treatments, including a special kind of placebo, to help older adults recovering from strokes, with the hope of finding better ways to support their healing process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $267,627 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS131635-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900695 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who have experienced a stroke and are in the chronic recovery phase.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those who have not experienced a stroke may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the neural mechanisms behind both open and hidden placebo effects in individuals recovering from strokes. It involves a clinical trial with 56 participants aged 65 and older, who will be divided into four groups to receive different treatments, including open placebo and sham rTMS. The study will assess participants' brain activity before and after treatment using advanced techniques like EEG to understand how these placebo effects contribute to motor recovery. The goal is to identify specific brain patterns associated with these effects, which could lead to improved rehabilitation strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance recovery strategies for stroke patients by leveraging the power of placebo effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant placebo effects in motor recovery, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Charlestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fregni, Felipe — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: Fregni, Felipe
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.