Upper Limb tDCS in Chronic Stroke Patients (NOURISH)

Launched by NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, SINGAPORE · Nov 1, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The NOURISH clinical trial is studying a treatment called Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to see if it can help improve movement in the arms of people who have had a stroke. The trial is looking for participants aged 21 to 80 who have had their first stroke between 6 months and 2 years ago and have some difficulty using their affected arm. This study will involve about 51 participants, who will be divided into three groups. Two groups will receive actual tDCS treatment while the third group will receive a "sham" treatment, which means they will get a very short, non-effective version of the stimulation.

Participants will attend daily sessions for about a month, where they will receive tDCS for 20 minutes along with a standard therapy called GRASP, which focuses on improving arm function. Researchers will assess how well the treatment works by measuring various aspects of arm movement and brain activity before, immediately after, and one month after the treatment. It's important to note that individuals with certain medical conditions, like pregnancy, epilepsy, or major depression, will not be eligible to participate. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and those who join can expect to contribute valuable information that could help improve recovery for stroke patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 21-80 years old;
• • First ever stroke, 6 months to 2 years after stroke onset;
• • ARAT≤42
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Pregnancy;
• • 2. Any metal implants inside the body that are contraindications of MRI scan;
• • 3. cardiac pacemakers;
• • 4. History of epilepsy;
• • 5. Sensorimotor disturbance due to other causes other than stroke;
• • 6. Claustrophobia;
• • 7. Uncontrolled medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and unstable angina;
• • 8. Major depression and a history of psychotic disorders;
• • 9. Terminal diagnosis with life expectancy \<=1 year. Any metal implants inside the body that are contraindications of MRI scan;
• • 3. cardiac pacemakers; 4. History of epilepsy; 5. Sensorimotor disturbance due to other causes other than stroke; 6. Claustrophobia; 7. Uncontrolled medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and unstable angina; 8. Major depression and a history of psychotic disorders; 9. Terminal diagnosis with life expectancy \<=1 year.