High-frequency magnetic brain stimulation to improve thinking 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

Participants are randomly assigned to receive either real high-frequency (10 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or a sham coil that looks and sounds the same but does not produce a magnetic field. Treatment is delivered 20 minutes a day for 20 sessions, with clinical cognitive scales and brain imaging (fNIRS and EEG) recorded before treatment, after 10 sessions, and after 20 sessions. The team uses a double-blind, controlled design so neither participants nor raters know who receives real stimulation. Outcomes focus on changes in cognitive function and brain functional activity measures.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meets the diagnostic criteria for stroke as stipulated in the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke in China (2021 Edition)", and the initial stroke diagnosis is confirmed by cranial CT or MRI examination, and is confirmed as the initial onset;
2. The disease course is 1-12 months;
3. Has cognitive impairment (MoCA \< 26 points, education years ≤ 12 years, add 1 point to the score result);
4. Age 35-75 years old, gender not limited;
5. Stable vital signs, no progressive neurological symptoms;
6. No severe aphasia, visual or auditory impairment, and able to complete the research protocol;
7. Not using antidepressant drugs simultaneously;
8. If using cognitive-improving drugs (such as donepezil, memantine), it should last for at least 3 weeks or more, and no dose adjustment will be made during the enrollment period;
9. Voluntarily participate and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Has a history of brain tumors, brain trauma, epilepsy or mental disorders;
2. Had cognitive impairment before the stroke;
3. Underwent craniotomy or had a skull defect;
4. Had implanted metal or electronic devices (such as cardiac pacemakers, cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, aneurysm clips, internal fixation devices after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery, etc.);
5. Has other serious diseases that may affect the study;
6. Pregnant women

Where it's running

• Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
  Jinan, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Run Sheng
• Email: shengrun2001@163.com
• Phone: 8615069169127

Similar studies

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

• AI-based cognitive training for people after stroke

  This trial will test whether an AI-based mobile app can help adults aged 45–60 improve thinking and memory after a stroke.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Cairo, Egypt · NCT07452276

• Immersive virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation for post-stroke cognitive impairment

  This pilot will try immersive virtual reality exercises with adults who have cognitive problems after a stroke to see if the approach is feasible, safe, and acceptable during outpatient rehabilitation.

  Recruiting University of Chile · Independencia, Santiago Metropolitan · NCT07125170

• Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke

  This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.

  Recruiting The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health · Heidelberg, Victoria and 1 other locations · NCT07019493

• Stem cell therapy for chronic stroke recovery

  This study is testing whether using a patient's own stem cells can help people with long-term stroke recovery feel better and improve their daily functioning.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Hokkaido University Hospital · Sapporo, Hokkaido · NCT06752720

• Butyphthalide's effect on cognitive recovery after stroke

  This study is testing if a new medication called butyphthalide can help improve thinking and memory in older adults who have had a stroke.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Fudan University · Dandong, Liaoning · NCT05976152

• AI-based tools to help diagnose, treat and predict stroke outcomes across multiple hospitals

  This study tests AI-powered tools on real-world stroke patients to see if they can improve pre-hospital triage, diagnosis, and outcome prediction while data stay securely within each hospital.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · Leuven and 6 other locations · NCT07924371

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.