Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Personalized brain stimulation to improve hand function after stroke

Official title: Towards Real-time Personalized Brain State-dependent TMS to Enhance Poststroke Hand Rehabilitation

Run by University of Iowa · NCT06533176 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a personalized brain stimulation technique to see if it can help people recover better hand function after having a stroke.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment37 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Iowa
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Iowa City, Iowa)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 1, 2024
Main results expectedJanuary 2027
Study endsJanuary 2027
Registry record updatedNovember 2, 2026
Trial IDNCT06533176 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are chronic stroke survivors with residual upper extremity hemiparesis and a Fugl-Meyer score of less than 66.

Probably not a fit

Patients with a history of neurological diseases other than stroke or those with contraindications to TMS may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This project investigates the use of personalized brain state-dependent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to enhance recovery of hand function in individuals who have experienced a stroke. The approach focuses on delivering TMS during specific brain activity patterns that optimize the activation of the residual corticospinal tract. Participants will undergo two days of testing, including assessments of motor impairment and the feasibility of the personalized TMS intervention. The study aims to establish a relationship between TMS activation and improvements in hand motor function.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve hand function in stroke survivors, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: While the use of TMS in stroke rehabilitation has been explored, this personalized brain state-dependent approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
-Presence of residual upper extremity hemiparesis, defined as any of the following: Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Score \<66, Wolf Motor Function Test Score \<70, Affected hand performance on the 9-Hole Peg Test \>= 10% worse than unaffected hand, Affected hand pinch, key, or power grip performance \>= 10% worse than unaffected hand,

* Occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke \>= 6 months before participation
* Mini Mental State Exam score \> 24
* Willingness and ability to provide informed consent
* No history of neurological disease and/or neurological injury other than stroke
* No TMS contraindications, including but not limited to:

Cardiac pacemaker, Cochlear implant, Cortical stimulator, Deep brain stimulator, Vagus nerve stimulator, Cervical spine epidural stimulation, Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, Ferromagnetic metallic implants above the level of the seventh cervical vertebra, Seizure in the last 12 months while taking anti-epilepsy medication, History of adverse reactions to TMS or peripheral nerve stimulation, Current, suspected, or planned pregnancy, Any recent changes (within the last month) to medication use

\- Presence of residual corticospinal connections innervating an affected upper extremity muscle following stimulation of the lesioned hemisphere (i.e., MEP+), evaluated at rest

Where it's running

  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, Iowa, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.