Personalized brain stimulation to improve hand function after stroke

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

Not applicable Interventional University of Iowa · NCT06533176

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

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment37 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Iowa Academic / other
Locations1 site (Iowa City, Iowa)
Trial IDNCT06533176 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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

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.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Iowa City, Iowa

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 Stroke
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.