tDCS and rTMS in Patients With Early Disorders of Consciousness

Launched by XUANWU HOSPITAL, BEIJING · Apr 7, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring new ways to help patients who are experiencing a disorder of consciousness (DOC) due to conditions like stroke or brain injuries that affect oxygen levels. The researchers are testing two different techniques: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to see if they can improve wakefulness and overall brain function in these patients. The goal is to find an effective treatment that can help patients recover more quickly, which would not only ease their suffering but also reduce the emotional and financial strain on their families.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be between 18 and 80 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of stroke or brain injury that has caused a DOC, with a Glasgow coma score of less than 12 for at least 2 to 4 weeks. Importantly, individuals with certain medical conditions, like having metal implants in their head or a history of epilepsy, cannot participate. If someone joins the trial, they can expect to receive one of the stimulation treatments while closely monitored by healthcare professionals. This research aims to find better ways to support patients and their families during a challenging time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. age 18-80 years
• • 2. diagnosis of stroke or ischemic-hypoxic encephalopathy confirmed by neuroimaging (head MRI)
• • 3. DOC, Glasgow coma score (GCS) \<12 4.2-4 weeks of DOC
• • 5.informed consent obtained from the patient's legal representative.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. foreign bodies such as metal or electronic devices in the skull (inside or on the surface of the tissue at the treatment stimulation site)
• • 2. pacemaker or cochlear implants
• • 3. history of epilepsy and family history of epilepsy
• • 4. large cranial defects
• • 5. significant cerebral edema lesions in both DLPFC
• • 6. pregnant women
• • 7. with severe physical diseases such as heart, lung, liver and kidney
• • 8. brain death
• • 9. new intracerebral lesions in patients during the study period affecting the assessment and prognosis, e.g. new stroke