Individualized rTMS for improving motor recovery in stroke patients

Efficacy of Individualized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Based on Cortical Laterality for Motor Recovery in Stroke Patients

Not applicable Interventional National Taiwan University Hospital · NCT05914038

This study is testing if a personalized brain stimulation treatment can help stroke patients recover better and improve their movement within three months of their stroke.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages20 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Taipei County, Taipei)
Trial IDNCT05914038 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of individualized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) tailored to the lateralization index in enhancing motor recovery and cortical excitability in patients who have experienced a stroke. The approach utilizes both high and low-frequency rTMS to modulate cerebral cortex excitability, with a focus on subacute stroke patients within three months of their event. Unlike previous studies that applied a uniform rTMS protocol, this study aims to personalize treatment based on individual patient characteristics. The goal is to determine if this tailored approach can lead to better recovery outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 20 who have experienced a unilateral ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within the last three months and have limited upper limb strength.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of previous strokes, significant neurological disorders, or contraindications to rTMS may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for motor recovery in stroke patients.

How similar studies have performed: While traditional rTMS has been studied in stroke rehabilitation, this individualized approach based on lateralization index is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Unilateral ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
2. Stroke within 3 months
3. Medical Research Council Scale for Muscle Strength in upper limb ≤ 3
4. No previous stroke, seizure, dementia, Parkinson's disease or other degenerative neurological diseases.
5. Patient could sit over 15 minutes
6. Age over 20

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor
2. With central nervous system disease (spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease)
3. Any contraindication to rTMS (seizure, alcoholism, metal implant, pacemaker)
4. Patients unable to cooperate the treatment
5. Pregnancy
6. Depression

Where this trial is running

Taipei County, Taipei

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions StrokeTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.