A Neurofeedback Interface in Poststroke Neuromodulation Using TMS-fNIRS

Launched by THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY · Jul 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new type of therapy to help people recover movement in their arms after having a stroke. The researchers are testing a special device that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain. What makes this device different is that it adjusts the timing of these pulses based on real-time brain signals, measured by a non-invasive light-based sensor. This approach aims to make the treatment more effective by tailoring it to each person’s brain activity. First, the system will be tested in healthy adults, and then it will be tried in people who had a stroke at least six months ago to see if it helps improve arm movement and brain function on the affected side.

People eligible to join the study are adults between 18 and 80 years old who had a specific type of stroke affecting the area under the brain’s surface and still have some movement in their affected arm. Participants need to be able to read and communicate in Chinese and give informed consent to join. The study excludes those with serious health problems, other brain diseases, or severe muscle stiffness in the affected arm. If you take part, you can expect to undergo sessions where the device monitors your brain and delivers gentle magnetic pulses to help improve motor control. This research could lead to better, more personalized treatments for stroke survivors in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Participants who meet the following criteria will be included:
• • 1. Diagnosed with ischemic subcortical stroke, with stroke onset≥6 months.
• • 2. Age between 18 and 80 years.
• • 3. Residual upper limb functions between levels 2-7 in the FTHUE.
• • 4. Capable of providing informed written consent.
• • 5. Capable of reading and communicating with Chinese.
• 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).
• • 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.
• • 4. Severe spasticity in the hemiparetic upper limb muscles, with a Modified Ashworth score \> 2.
• • 5. any moderate-to-severe chronic illness, such as uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease or renal failure.
• • Healthy participants should be aged between 18 and 80, with no known history of neurological diseases. They should not have any moderate-to-severe chronic illness, such as uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease or renal failure.