Using two coils of magnetic stimulation to measure and modulate brain inhibition 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 has two parts. First, it will test the reliability of a novel TMS-EEG-based interhemispheric inhibition measure and compare it to the established TMS-EMG method in stroke patients and healthy controls, with a repeat session after one week. Second, it will use a randomized-crossover design where stroke patients receive a single session of dual-coil ccPAS at three different interstimulus intervals to see how LTD-like, LTP-like, and sham protocols modulate the TMS-EEG IHI marker. The study aims to understand whether this noninvasive brain stimulation approach can reliably characterize and influence interhemispheric communication after stroke. Participants will undergo MRI verification of lesion location and repeated neurophysiological assessments to evaluate changes in cortical inhibition. Safety considerations follow standard TMS guidelines for stroke survivors. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University leads the study with no listed external collaborators.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) have a diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, with time after stroke onset≥6 months. For stroke patients, we will invite participants to receive a structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience to verify their actual lesion location; (2) aged between 18 and 80 years old; (3) with residual upper limb functions from 4-7 levels in the Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity (Hong Kong version); (4) have evocable MEP from both M1; (5) able to give informed written consent to participate in the study. (6) able to understand and communicate with Chinese.

Exclusion Criteria:

(1) any contraindications to TMS (screened by the safety checklist by Rossi); (2) any concomitant neurological disease; (3) any sign of moderate-to-severe cognitive problems, i.e., the abbreviated mental test Hong Kong version\<6 out of 10 points \[22\]; and (4) Modified Ashworth score\>2 in hand, wrist or elbow extensor muscle in their hemiparetic upper limbs.

In addition, a group of right-hand-dominant healthy adults, without any known neurological and psychiatric diseases, will be enrolled.

Where it's running

• Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  Hong Kong, Hong Kong Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: JIAQI JACK Zhang, PhD
• Email: jack-jiaqi.zhang@polyu.edu.hk
• Phone: 27666696

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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.