Using brain stimulation to improve walking after stroke

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

This project aims to enhance gait rehabilitation for stroke survivors by employing cortical priming through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) alongside traditional motor training techniques. The intervention includes high-intensity interval speed-based treadmill training and ankle motor training to improve walking outcomes. The study will also investigate the neural mechanisms that contribute to the effectiveness of this combined approach. Participants will engage in a long-term rehabilitation protocol designed to optimize their walking abilities post-stroke.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age greater than 18 years
* First ever monohemispheric stroke \> 3 months since onset
* Residual hemiparetic gait deficits (e.g. abnormal gait pattern)
* Able to walk for 5 minutes at self-paced speed. Handheld assistive device is acceptable.
* Walking speed lesser than 1.2 m/s
* Lower limb Fugl-Meyer Motor score between 15-30
* At least 5 deg of ankle dorsiflexion necessary to perform the ankle-tracking task

Exclusion Criteria:

* General exclusion criteria

  * Severe osteoporosis
  * Contracture-limiting range of motion of lower limb
  * Score of more than 2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (indicating increased muscle tone through ankle range of motion)
  * Uncontrolled anti-spasticity medications during the study period
  * Score less than 6 on the Fugl-Meyer Sensory Assessment Scale for the Lower Limb
  * Cardiorespiratory or metabolic diseases (e.g. cardiac arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, chronic emphysema)
  * Unhealed decubiti, persistent infection
  * Significant cognitive or communication impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)\<21), which could impede the understanding of the purpose of procedures of the study or prevent the patient from performing the ankle-tracking task.
  * Lesions involving the brainstem and cerebellum
  * Failure to pass the graded exercise stress test

TMS exclusion criteria

* Implanted cardiac pacemaker
* Metal implants in the head or face
* Unexplained, recurring headaches
* History of seizures or epilepsy
* Currently under medication that could increase motor excitability and lower seizure threshold
* Skull abnormalities or fractures
* Concussion within the last 6 months
* Currently pregnant

tDCS exclusion criteria

* Skin hypersensitivity
* History of contact dermatitits
* History of allodynia and/or hyperalgesia
* Any other skin or scalp condition that could be aggravated by tDCS

Where it's running

• Physical Therapy
  Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Sangeetha Madhavan — University of Illinois Chicago
• Study coordinator: Sangeetha Madhavan
• Email: smadhava@uic.edu
• Phone: 3123552517

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke

  This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.

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• Stem cell therapy for chronic stroke recovery

  This study is testing whether using a patient's own stem cells can help people with long-term stroke recovery feel better and improve their daily functioning.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Hokkaido University Hospital · Sapporo, Hokkaido · NCT06752720

• AI-based tools to help diagnose, treat and predict stroke outcomes across multiple hospitals

  This study tests AI-powered tools on real-world stroke patients to see if they can improve pre-hospital triage, diagnosis, and outcome prediction while data stay securely within each hospital.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · Leuven and 6 other locations · NCT07924371

• Web-based therapy using action observation and mirror therapy for arm weakness after stroke

  This trial tests whether a mobile telerehabilitation app delivering action observation therapy (AOT) alone or combined AOT with mirror therapy (AOT-MT) can improve upper limb function in people with subacute stroke.

  Recruiting Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · Taoyuan · NCT07921108

• Remote Ischaemic Conditioning for Fatigue After Stroke 2

  Aat least 12 weeks after stroke, adults with post-stroke fatigue will try a simple hand-arm cuff treatment at home to see if it helps reduce fatigue.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Sheffield, South Yorkshire · NCT07914647

• Dual-task balance training plus computer-based cognitive training after stroke

  In adults who recently had a stroke, the study tests whether adding computerized cognitive exercises to balance training improves balance and other recovery outcomes.

  Recruiting Matia Foundation · San Sebastián, GUIPUZCOA · NCT07913620

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.