Using brain stimulation to improve arm movement after a stroke

Closed - Loop Neuromodulation of Post - Stroke Motor Dysfunction by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Synchronized with Specific Motor Task Training

Not applicable Interventional First Affiliated Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Naval Medical University · NCT06849505

This study is testing if a special brain stimulation technique combined with movement training can help stroke patients improve their arm movement.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorFirst Affiliated Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Naval Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
Trial IDNCT06849505 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of individualized online repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with motor task training to enhance upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive online rTMS, offline rTMS, or sham stimulation, with the goal of determining if synchronized rTMS improves motor function in those with and without the ability to induce motor evoked potentials (MEPs). The study will also assess the safety of this intervention method during the subacute and chronic phases of stroke recovery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 20 to 80 who have been diagnosed with stroke and exhibit upper limb motor dysfunction but have stable vital signs and intact cognitive abilities.

Not a fit: Patients with severe comorbidities, significant cognitive impairments, or contraindications for TMS will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve motor rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients with upper limb paralysis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with rTMS in stroke rehabilitation, suggesting that this approach may be effective, though this specific methodology is still being explored.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient is first diagnosed with stroke through neurological examination, CT or MRI scan.
2. The vital signs are stable and there is a certain degree of upper limb motor dysfunction.
3. The age is between 20 and 80 years old.
4. The cognitive ability is not significantly affected and the patient can cooperate with various examinations and assessments, with a MMSE score ≥ 20 points.
5. There are no serious complications (such as pneumonia, heart failure, urinary tract infection or malnutrition).
6. There is no pathological condition that is a contraindication for TMS in the medical history (for example, patients with metal in the brain, such as aneurysm clips, patients with a cardiac pacemaker, pregnant women, or those with a history of epileptic seizures).
7. The patient or guardian agrees to sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with severe heart, lung, liver, kidney diseases and malignant tumors;
2. Those with a history of aphasia, severe cognitive impairment or mental illness;
3. Patients who have had a history of epileptic seizures in the last month or are taking anti-epileptic drugs recently;
4. Those with severe visual or hearing impairments, unable to communicate normally;
5. People with metal implants, pacemakers, skull defects or other conditions that prevent them from undergoing TMS.

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

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 StrokeUpper Extremity ParasisstrokeindividualizedTMSmotor dysfunctiononline
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.