tDCS to reduce fatigue after stroke
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Tdcs in a Multimodal Treatment With Health Education and Aerobic Exercise in the Treatment of Post-stroke Fatigue.
NA · Hospital Clinic of Barcelona · NCT06149897
This study will test whether eight sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with aerobic exercise and education can reduce fatigue in adults recovering from a first stroke.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 54 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Barcelona, Spain) |
| Trial ID | NCT06149897 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-blind, randomized trial comparing active tDCS versus sham tDCS delivered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (anode at F3) with the cathode at O2, alongside therapeutic education and aerobic exercise. Participants will receive eight 20-minute stimulation sessions across four weeks. Eligible patients are adults within about 45 (±7) days of a first ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who report clinically significant fatigue. The primary focus is change in fatigue severity after the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 who had a first stroke about 45 days ago, can follow simple instructions, and have a Fatigue Severity Scale score of 24 or higher are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with significant pre-stroke disability (mRS >2), major depression, epilepsy, active cancer, severe cardiorespiratory or psychiatric illness, or other conditions causing disproportionate fatigue (e.g., long COVID) are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could meaningfully reduce post-stroke fatigue and help patients engage more in daily activities and rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Small studies of tDCS for fatigue (including in multiple sclerosis and some post-stroke work) have shown mixed but sometimes promising results, so the approach is experimental with limited evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * First stroke within 45 (+-7) days of the ischemic or hemorrhagic episode. * Ability to understand and execute simple instructions * Over 18 years. * Fatigue Scale of fatigue severity with a score greater than or equal to 24 Exclusion Criteria: * A score \> 2 on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) before the stroke. * Patients with decompensated cardiorespiratory and/or psychiatric pathology. * Comorbidity causing disproportionate fatigue, such as long-term COVID. * Patients who are cancer survivors or who are undergoing cancer treatment. * Patients with a history of epilepsy or who are taking antiepileptic medication. * Patents with major depression.
Where this trial is running
Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona — Barcelona, Spain, Spain (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Inés García-Bouyssou, PT, MsC
- Email: ingarcia@clinic.cat
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Stroke, tdcs, post stroke fatigue