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NCT Number: NCT06191549

Brain Stimulation Enhance Post-stroke Walking Survivors and Healthy Adults

Recent studies showed that a non-invasive, low-intensity brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can effectively increase motor neuron excitability in the brain and therefore promotes functional recovery after stroke. Thus, the overall purpose of this research project is to examine the effect of brain stimulation on motor skill learning in stroke survivors.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Vascular Accident Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Nervous System Diseases Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

21 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Texas Medical Branch

Galveston, Texas, 77555, United States

About this study

The specific aims and hypotheses are:

Aim 1: To explore the trends of locomotor skill acquisition in stroke survivors after anodal tDCS (a-tDCS, real brain stimulation), stroke survivors after sham tDCS (s-tDCS), and stroke with no brain stimulation (control; CON). Hypothesis (Aim 1): Stroke participants who receives a-tDCS will show a faster rate of learning a locomotor task compared to stroke participants who receive s-tDCS and stroke participants with no brain stimulation.

Aim 2: To explore different trends of stimulation-induced improvements in learning capacity and neural activities between three groups: stroke group, healthy young group, and healthy older group. Hypothesis (Aim 2): Healthy young adults will have a greater degree of stimulation-induced improvements in learning capacity and neural excitation compared to older adults and stroke participants.

Aim 3: To explore the trends of functional improvements post a-tDCS in stroke survivors. Hypothesis (Aim 3): Stroke participants who receives a-tDCS will show a greater improvements in functional performances compared to stroke participants who receive s-tDCS and stroke participants with no brain stimulation.

Aim 4: To explore the accumulated, longitudinal trends of a four-week visuomotor stepping training in conjunction with brain stimulation on treadmill walking training and gait improvements for persons with chronic stroke. Hypothesis (Aim 4): Stroke participants who receives a-tDCS will show a greater degree of gait improvements compared to stroke participants who receive s-tDCS and stroke participants with no brain stimulation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 21 and 90 years
  • Medical history of a unilateral stroke occurring ≥ 6 months prior to enrollment
  • MRI or CT evidence from the imaging report shown that the stroke involves the corticospinal tract
  • Hemiparesis involving the lower extremity (Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity Motor Test)
  • No passive range of motion limitation in bilateral hips and knees
  • Limitation of ankle passive range of motion to 10 degrees of dorsiflexion or less
  • Visual acuity can be corrected by glasses or contact lens to 20/20
  • Able to walk independently with/without assistant devices for 10 meters
  • Able to maintain standing position without any assistance >= 30 sec (Short Physical Performance Battery)
  • Evaluation of cognitive status: Mini-mental status examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant women
  • MRI or CT evidence of involvement of the basal ganglia or cerebellum, evidence of multiple lesions, or evidence of any other brain damage or tumors
  • Have any metal implants, cardiac pacemakers, or history of seizures
  • Ongoing orthopedic or other neuromuscular disorders that will restrict exercise training
  • Any vestibular dysfunction or unstable angina
  • Significant cognitive deficits (inability to follow a 2-step command) or severe receptive or global aphasia

Treatment and study plan

anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS)

Combination Product

Stroke participants will be randomly assigned into one of three groups: anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), sham tDCS (s-tDCS), or control groups (i.e. no brain stimulation). Young and older healthy adults will be randomly assignments into a-tDCS or s-tDCS groups.

Stroke participants in each group will receive a four-week of the assigned brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training and treadmill training

Primary outcomes

  1. Mean change from baseline in stepping motor control after a single brain stimulation and locomotor learning session.

    Time frame: 0 minute, 30 minutes, and 24 hours a single brain stimulation session

    stepping motor control will be quantified by the time (seconds) that each participant takes to initiate a forward step onto a visual target displayed on the wall screen

  2. Mean change from baseline in gait performances after a single brain stimulation and locomotor learning session.

    Time frame: 0 minute, 30 minutes, and 24 hours a single brain stimulation session

    Gait performances will be quantified by gait speed (meters/second) during ground walking tests

  3. Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal network activations after a single brain stimulation and locomotor learning session.

    Time frame: 0 minute, 30 minutes, and 24 hours a single brain stimulation session

    The neuronal activations will be quantified by oxygen consumption changes locally detected by surface infrared diodes.

  4. Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal activations after a single brain stimulation and locomotor learning session.

    Time frame: 0 minute, 30 minutes, and 24 hours a single brain stimulation session

    The neuronal activations will be quantified by peak-to-peak electrical signals detected by surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes on leg muscles after transcranial magnetic stimulations

  5. Mean change from baseline in stepping motor control after a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training and treadmill walking training

    Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 30, Day 90 post a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping and treadmill walking training

    stepping motor control will be quantified by the time (seconds) that each participant takes to initiate a forward step onto a visual target displayed on the wall screen

  6. Mean change from baseline in gait performances after a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training and treadmill walking training

    Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 30, Day 90 post a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping and treadmill walking training

    Gait performances will be quantified by gait speeds (meters/second) during ground walking tests

  7. Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal network activations after a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training and treadmill walking training

    Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 30, Day 90 post a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping and treadmill walking training

    The neuronal activations will be quantified by oxygen consumption changes locally detected by surface infrared diodes

  8. Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal activations after a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training and treadmill walking training

    Time frame: Day 1, Day 7, Day 30, Day 90 post a four-week brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping and treadmill walking training

    The neuronal activations will be quantified by peak-to-peak electrical signals detected by surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes on leg muscles after transcranial magnetic stimulations

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Other

Collaborators

  • The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Brain Stimulation on Locomotor Skill Acquisition in Stroke

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 5, 2024
Registry last updated
Oct 31, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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