Personalized Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Stroke Recovery

Launched by THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · Feb 27, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment called personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (ptDCS) to help people recover from strokes. The goal is to find out how this treatment can improve brain function and recovery in stroke patients by looking at how well the brain connects and adapts after the stroke. Participants in the study will have experienced a stroke more than three months prior and will have some weakness on one side of their body. They should be able to follow simple instructions and have a certain level of movement in their arms and hands.

To participate, you must be over 18 years old and have had a stroke diagnosed by a medical scan. However, individuals with certain conditions, such as severe mental health issues, significant weakness on both sides of the body, or serious medical problems, will not be eligible. If you decide to join the trial, you can expect to receive the ptDCS treatment and be monitored for improvements in your recovery. It’s important to note that if you do not speak English, you will need to arrange for a translator to help during the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Symptomatic ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke verified by computerized axial tomography or magnetic resonance imaging resulting in hemiparesis (MRC 1-4).
• • Age more than 18, Male or Female, All racial and ethnic groups
• • Entry into the study \>3 months post onset
• • Modified Ashworth Scale Score \<3 in the involved upper extremity
• • Passive range of motion within functional ranges at the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
• • Able to follow 2 step commands
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with history of severe alcohol or drug abuse, psychiatric illnesses like severe depression, poor motivational capacity, or severe language disturbances, particularly of receptive nature or with serious cognitive deficits (defined as unable to follow study instructions).
• • Patients with bilateral paresis, or weakness or sensory damage due to peripheral causes (e.g. peripheral nerve injury, muscle or orthopedic injury etc.)
• • Patients with severe uncontrolled medical problems (e.g. cardiovascular disease, severe rheumatoid arthritis, active joint deformity of arthritic origin, active cancer or renal disease, any kind of end-stage pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, or a deteriorated condition due to age,epilepsy or others).
• • Patients with unstable cardiac arrhythmia.
• • Pregnancy
• • Patients with metallic implants in the head, patients with pacemakers, patients with craniotomies, including burr holes who cannot be safely stimulated
• • Patients with seizures
• • Non-English speaking individuals will only be eligible if they can provide the appropriate translator for all the sessions of the study as no funding is available to pay for such services.