Exploring how brain stimulation affects movement after stroke

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on motor function in both healthy adults and individuals who have experienced a stroke. Researchers aim to determine how the timing of brain stimulation correlates with brain oscillation phases to improve the consistency of TMS effects. Participants will undergo screening and TMS sessions to measure their brain's response to stimulation. The goal is to enhance rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients by understanding the relationship between brain activity and motor function.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
* Healthy younger adults:

  * Ages 18 years to less than 50 years. (18 to 49)
  * Willingness/ability to provide informed consent.
  * Ability to induce a motor evoked potential in the muscle target of the upper extremity, as evaluated during the TMS Screening.
* Healthy older adults:

  * Age 50 and over
  * Willingness/ability to provide informed consent.
  * Ability to induce a motor evoked potential in the muscle target of the upper extremity, as evaluated during the TMS Screening.
* Stroke patients:

  * Age 18 and over.
  * Unilateral or bilateral upper limb paresis with the ability to voluntarily contract a finger, hand, wrist, or elbow muscle in the affected arm(s).
  * Stroke onset \> 6 months prior to participation.
  * Intact M1 sufficient to induce motor evoked potentials in the affected upper extremity following ipsilesional TMS, as evaluated during the TMS Screening.
  * Willingness/ability to provide informed consent.

    * If the investigator feels the individual s capacity to provide informed consent is questionable, the NIH Human Subjects Protection Unit (HSPU) will be requested to determine the individual s ability to consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Healthy younger and older adults:

  * Presence of severe neurological or medical disorder (e.g., Parkinson s disease or multiple sclerosis).
  * History of seizures.
  * Chronic use of antipsychotic drugs (e.g., chlorpromazine or clozapine), tri-cyclic or other anti-depressants, benzodiazepines, or prescription stimulants.
  * TMS contraindications, such as:

    * Pacemaker, implanted pump, stimulator, cochlear implant, or metal objects inside the eye or skull.
    * Diagnosed severe hearing loss.
  * Current pregnancy.
  * Staff from our section.
* Stroke patients:

  * Presence of severe neurological or medical disorder, other than stroke (e.g., Parkinson s disease or multiple sclerosis).
  * History of brainstem stroke.
  * History of seizures.
  * Chronic use of antipsychotic drugs (e.g., chlorpromazine or clozapine), benzodiazepines, or prescription stimulants.
  * TMS contraindications, such as:

    * Pacemaker, implanted pump, stimulator, cochlear implant, or metal objects inside

the eye or skull.

---Diagnosed severe hearing loss.

* Current pregnancy.
* Staff from our section.

Where it's running

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
  Bethesda, Maryland, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Leonardo G Cohen, M.D. — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Study coordinator: Catherine L Blumhorst, C.R.N.P.
• Email: cathy.blumhorst@nih.gov
• Phone: (301) 451-1335

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Web-based therapy using action observation and mirror therapy for arm weakness after stroke

  This trial tests whether a mobile telerehabilitation app delivering action observation therapy (AOT) alone or combined AOT with mirror therapy (AOT-MT) can improve upper limb function in people with subacute stroke.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.