Prism training with or without TENS to reduce one-sided neglect after stroke

A Comparison of Prism Adaptation Training (PAT) Paired With Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS) vs PAT Alone on Outcomes in Post-Stroke Patients Experiencing Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN)

Not applicable Interventional Kettering Health Network · NCT07157865

This project tests whether adding mild electrical stimulation (TENS) to prism adaptation training helps people with one-sided neglect after stroke pay better attention to their affected side than prism training alone.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKettering Health Network Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Centerville, Ohio and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07157865 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with unilateral spatial neglect after stroke will receive prism adaptation training either alone or combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Trained therapists will deliver the interventions at the Kettering Health NeuroRehab and Balance Center and measure outcomes before and after the treatment course. Primary and secondary outcomes include the Catherine Bergego Scale for neglect severity and the Wolf Motor Function Test for affected arm function, with follow-up to track durability. Investigators will also examine whether age, time since stroke, lesion location, or baseline neglect severity influence response.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are stroke survivors who show at least mild unilateral spatial neglect (Catherine Bergego Scale score ≥1), are cognitively able to consent, and have preserved sensation in the affected upper limb.

Not a fit: Patients with seizure disorders, more than two prior strokes, pacemakers or defibrillators, absent sensation in the affected arm, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, or active upper-extremity cancer are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combined treatment could lead to greater attention to the neglected side and improved use of the affected arm, speeding functional recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Prism adaptation training has demonstrated benefit for unilateral neglect in multiple studies, while combining PAT with TENS is less well studied and represents a novel augmentation approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* A diagnosis of stroke
* Score 1 or above on the Catherine Bergego Scale
* Cognitively able to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Seizure disorder
* Diagnosed with more than two strokes
* Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
* Cancer diagnosis of upper extremity
* Individuals with pacemakers and debrillators
* Absent sensation of upper extremity affected by stroke

Where this trial is running

Centerville, Ohio and 1 other locations

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 Unilateral Spatial NeglectStroke
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.