GRAViceptive NEGlect Treatment in Acute Stroke Using Targeted Cranial ELECTrotherapy

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SAO PAULO · Dec 18, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called GRAViceptive NEGlect Treatment in Acute Stroke Using Targeted Cranial ELECTrotherapy, is studying a new treatment for patients who have had a stroke. The goal is to see if a method called high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can help people who have trouble sensing the vertical position of objects around them, which can happen after a stroke. The trial is currently looking for participants aged between 65 and 75 years who have recently experienced a specific type of stroke, are clinically stable, and have normal vision.

If you or a loved one might be eligible, you should know that participants will receive this non-invasive treatment, which involves placing electrodes on the head to deliver a mild electrical current aimed at correcting visual perception issues. Importantly, participants should not have certain conditions like migraines, significant psychiatric disorders, or previous brain surgeries. This study will help us understand whether this treatment is safe and effective for those recovering from a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Supratentorial ischemic stroke diagnosed by neuroimaging and clinical analysis;
• • Clinically stable (stable vital signs for 24 hours; no chest pain in the last 24 hours; no significant arrhythmia; no evidence of deep vein thrombosis);
• • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision;
• • No previous experience with HD-tDCS;
• • Ability to provide informed consent (patient or legal representative);
• • Ability to comply with the intervention and assessment schedule of the protocol.
• • Presence of visual verticality misperception.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Migraine;
• • Pregnancy;
• • Pacemakers;
• • Seizures;
• • Claustrophobia;
• • Transient ischemic attack;
• • Other neurological disorders;
• • Psychiatric disorders;
• • Sensitive scalp or prior brain surgery;
• • Diagnosis of severe carotid atherosclerotic disease (stenosis ≥ 70%);
• • Presence of metal implants, cardiac pacemakers, or claustrophobia;
• • Diagnosis of COVID-19 or other infectious disease that requires isolation;
• • Uncontrolled medical problems, such as terminal cancer or kidney disease.
• • Left-handed or mixed-handed individuals as determined using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (Appendix 10);
• • Peripheral vestibular deficits observed using neuro-otological screening tests when the participant's clinical condition allows (head shake test, head thrust test, Dix-Hallpike, and Pagnini-McClure);
• • Prior musculoskeletal disorders affecting alignment and postural balance (e.g., moderate to severe scoliosis; torticollis);
• • Cognitive dysfunction outside normal limits on the Mini-Mental State Examination (score below 23);
• • Global or Wernicke's aphasia;