Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Using brain stimulation to treat muscle weakness in autoimmune myopathy patients

Official title: Acute Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Myopathies

Run by University of Sao Paulo · NCT03749538 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a new type of brain stimulation can help people with autoimmune myopathy improve their muscle strength and overall health.

More Myopathy trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment40 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Sao Paulo
Academic / other
Locations1 site (São Paulo)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 1, 2018
Main results expectedMay 6, 2024
Study endsDecember 4, 2024
Registry record updatedDecember 5, 2024
Trial IDNCT03749538 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with systemic autoimmune myopathies who exhibit objective muscle limb weakness.

Probably not a fit

Patients with neoplasia, heart pacemakers, visceral metallic clips, infections, pregnancy, or a history of convulsions or epilepsies may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of acute transcranial direct current stimulation in patients diagnosed with systemic autoimmune myopathies, a group of diseases that primarily affect skeletal muscles. It employs a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to ensure robust results. The goal is to determine whether this non-invasive brain stimulation technique can improve muscle function and overall patient outcomes. Currently, there are no existing studies that have explored this approach in the context of autoimmune myopathies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a novel therapeutic option for improving muscle strength and function in patients with systemic autoimmune myopathies.

How similar studies have gone: While transcranial direct current stimulation has been studied in other contexts, such as stroke recovery and athletic performance, this specific application in systemic autoimmune myopathies is novel and untested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Classification criteria - EULAR/ACR 2017
* Classification critera - Connors et al.
* Objective muscle limb weakness

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neoplasia
* Using heart pacemarker
* Using visceral metalic clips
* Infections (HIV, HTLV-1, Hepatitis, etc)
* Pregnance
* Previous historical of convulsions or epilepsies

Where it's running

  • Samuel K Shinjo
    São Paulo, Brazil
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Samuel K Shinjo — Universidade de Sao Paulo - Rheumatology Division
  • Study coordinator: Samuel K Shinjo
  • Email: samuel.shinjo@gmail.com
  • Phone: 1130617176

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.