Priming Theta Burst Stimulation for Stroke: A Study of Intensity

Launched by THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY · Jul 15, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help improve the movement of the arm in people who have had a stroke. Specifically, researchers want to see if a lower intensity type of brain stimulation, called low intensity priming intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), can help patients recover better motor functions compared to other types of stimulation or a placebo treatment. The hope is that this approach will enhance brain activity related to movement, leading to better recovery of arm function.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be between 18 and 75 years old and have had a stroke affecting one side of their body for at least six months. They should have some ability to move their arm, but still have significant difficulties. During the study, participants will receive brain stimulation followed by an hour of motor training, three times a week for four weeks. The trial will involve testing how well their arm functions improve and how the brain's electrical activity changes. It's important to know that the trial is not yet recruiting participants, and there are specific safety checks in place to ensure that only suitable candidates can join.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • 1. Unilateral upper limb motor dysfunction caused by ischemic stroke, with stroke onset≥6 months. Diagnosis will be verified using discharge summary and radiological reports issued by Hospital Authority. Qualifying participants will undergo structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN) at PolyU to further confirm their lesion location in the period of experimental participation.
• • 2. Age between 18 and 80 years.
• • 3. Residual upper limb functions between levels 2-6 in the FTHUE, indicating moderately-to-severely impaired upper limb motor functions.
• • 4. Capable of providing informed written consent. Exclusion Criteria
• Patients who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded:
• • 1. any contraindications to TMS (screened by the safety checklist by Rossi(33)) and/or MRI (screened by the MRI safety checklist offered by UBSN \[see supplement\]).
• • 2. Diagnosed with any concomitant neurological disease other than stroke.
• • 3. signs of cognitive impairment, with a Montreal cognitive assessment score\<21/22 out of 30 (34).
• • 4. Severe spasticity in the hemiparetic upper limb muscles, with a Modified Ashworth score \> 2 (35).