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NCT Number: NCT07599774

Optimal Targeted High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Reducing Post-stroke Upper Limb Motor Impairments

Non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical technologies that augment routine clinical practice for brain diseases and manage chronic symptoms have advanced rapidly over the past two decades. Among these, non-invasive brain stimulation such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) promotes neuroplasticity in injured brains, with fewer side effects and risks than invasive, implanted approaches such as deep-brain stimulation. Stimulating the brain can improve its function and help with recovery after a stroke. It has been a challenge to do this non-invasively. This is because the brain is reshaped after a stroke, and thus, it is difficult to find the right places to stimulate from the outside. In previous research, investigators found that optimal type and target of tDCS varied among subjects. The goal of this pilot trial is to test the feasibility of combining individually optimized, targeted high-definition tDCS (THD-tDCS) with rehabilitation therapy. Investigators will include 16 chronic stroke subjects with their optimal stimulation setup, obtained from their previous research. The participants will be computer-randomized into two equal-sized groups to receive either optimal THD-tDCS or sham stimulation, together with rehabilitation therapy (modified constraint-induced movement therapy, mCIMT) for five sessions over two weeks. Outcome measures will be collected at the baseline and right after the final intervention session. The primary outcome measure will be the change in the FM-UE score from baseline to immediately post the final intervention to assess the immediate effect of the intervention on upper extremity motor impairment. The secondary outcome measure will be the Wolf Motor Function Test time score to evaluate the immediate effect on functional motor performance.

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Key information

Conditions

Hemiparetic Stroke

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Carle Foundation Hospital

Urbana, Illinois, 61801-3028, United States

Location contact

Carly Skadden, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

217-326-0102 ext. 1

Sanjiv Jain, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Yuan Yang, PhD, MS

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must have had a stroke that resulted in paresis confined to one side. The use of a wheelchair or other assisting devices are not exclusionary.
  • Must have substantial motor impairment of the paretic upper limb
  • Absence of severe wasting or contracture or significant sensory deficits in the paretic upper limb
  • Absence of severe concurrent medical problems (e.g. cardiorespiratory impairment)
  • Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Score of 8-50 based on assessment performed during the baseline visit.
  • Must have had either MRI or CT of the brain performed at Carle as part of their stroke care. Imaging may have been performed either during the diagnostic work-up for stroke or as follow-up after diagnosis. The most recent images from either MRI or CT will be collected for this study.
  • Capacity to provide informed consent and participate in English (Since this study is a clinical trial and the team is yet to provide the translation service at this stage, the study is restricted to those who can consent and participate in English only).
  • Must be willing and able to perform study procedures

Exclusion criteria

  • Self-reported sensitive skin or adhesive allergy as assessed by the tDCS Safety Screening Questionnaire
  • Has a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator or an implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy device
  • Has metal implants in the head and/or brain
  • Presence of muscle tone abnormalities and motor or sensory impairment in the non-paretic limb
  • Presence of severe muscle wasting or contracture or significant sensory deficits in the paretic upper limb
  • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period
  • History of epilepsy, febrile convulsion, recurrent fainting spells or unexplained recurring headaches
  • Current use of illicit/recreational drugs
  • Currently undergoing anti-malarial treatment. (Note: participants can be considered for study participation after ant-malarial treatment has been discontinued)
  • Has known adverse reaction to TMS or tDCS

Treatment and study plan

High-definition transcranial direct stimulation: sham

Device

High-definition transcranial direct stimulation with zero stimulation intensity (placebo)

High-definition transcranial direct stimulation: optimal

Device

High-definition transcranial direct stimulation with individualized, optimal parameters.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy

Behavioral

Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) is an evidence-based neurorehabilitation approach that improves upper limb function after stroke or brain injury by restricting the unaffected limb while intensively training the affected limb.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity score from baseline

    Time frame: Right after the final intervention session

    Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FM-UE) is a measure of motor impairment (0 to 66 points, with higher points indicating less impairment). FM-UE scale consists of a 33-item assessment which provides a global assessment of upper extremity motor impairment. A rater provides an ordinal rating (2=near normal ability/response, 1=partial ability, 0=unable to perform/no response) for each item.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in the Wolf Motor Function Test Time Score From Baseline

    Time frame: Right after the final intervention session

    Wolf Motor Function (WMFT) Test is a measure of functional motor activity that quantifies upper extremity motor ability through timed and functional tasks. The WMFT Time Score the median of 15 timed arm movements and hand dexterity tasks, each to be completed up to 120s. If a task could not be completed in 120s, a score of 121s was assigned. Higher score indicates a worse motor function.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sanjiv Jain, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

217-383-3800

Yuan Yang, PhD, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

217-244-5870

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Carle Foundation Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • American Heart Association

Registry information

Official study title

Optimal Targeted High-definition tDCS for Reducing Post-stroke Upper Limb Motor Impairments

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 20, 2026
Registry last updated
May 28, 2026

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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