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NCT Number: NCT05816603

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Post-stroke Fatigue

The investigators hypothesize that delivery of anodal tDCS to the left frontal head region will reduce fatigue severity following stroke.

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Key information

Conditions

Fatigue Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Stroke Rehabilitaion

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 E. 68th St, Baker Pavilion, F-2106

New York, 10065, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Joan Stilling, MD, MS

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Zhiyan Yang, M.A.

CONTACT

[email protected]

(212) 746-1509

About this study

The purpose of this study is to investigate transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a home-based non-pharmacologic intervention for post-stroke fatigue (PSF). Investigators will perform a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial with 24 subjects; 12 will receive sham stimulation and 12 will receive real stimulation. After a baseline assessment, the tDCS device will be applied for 20 minutes, once daily over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), for a total of two weeks. Follow-up assessments with outcome metrics will be completed after the seventh and fourteenth sessions, and one-month following the start date (2 weeks post-treatment). Neuroimaging will be completed at baseline and post-treatment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male or female patients aged >18 years
  • Greater than 3 months from first hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke (subacute to chronic), confirmed through neuroimaging (CT or MRI).
  • Fatigue severity score average >4 (severe fatigue)
  • Willingness to remain stable on pharmacologic therapy through the duration of the study.
  • Availability of a caregiver, family member, or friend to be present during the administration of the tDCS intervention.

Exclusion criteria

  • Metal in the head (except mouth) or implanted cranial or thoracic devices (i.e. pacemaker, DBS stimulator)
  • History of seizure
  • History of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
  • A score of 10 or more on the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scale, suggestive of moderate to severe depression/anxiety.
  • A score of less than 21 on the MoCA suggesting major neurocognitive disorder.
  • Signs of skin rash, infection, or laceration in the supraorbital region where the tDCS will be applied.
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • Other major neurological, medical, or psychiatric illnesses that could confound results in the opinion of the site investigator.

Treatment and study plan

Real Soterix Mini-CT tDCS stimulator

Device

Real transcranial electrical stimulation at 2mA intensity will be delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 20 minutes/day, 14-day duration.

Sham Soterix Mini-CT tDCS stimulator

Device

Sham stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 20 minutes/day, 14-day duration. The device will ramp up and ramp down current delivery from 0 mA -2 mA - 0 mA over 30 seconds at the start of the 20-minute protocol with no active stimulation until the end of the 20 minutes, at which time the 30-second ramp up/ramp down will be repeated.

Primary outcomes

  1. Mean change from baseline Fatigue Severity Scale - 7 (FSS-7)

    Time frame: Screening (-1 to -14 days), Baseline (Day 1), During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52))

    Fatigue Severity. This seven item scale measures fatigue severity and it's effect on a person's lifestyle and activities. Items are scored on a seven point scale. Minimum score = 7, maximum score = 49 with higher score indicating greater fatigue severity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mean change from baseline Stroke Specific Quality Of Life scale (SS-QOL)

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52)

    Quality of Life. Assesses health related quality of life, specific to individuals with stroke. Composed of 49 items, score on a 5 point guttman type scale. Scores range from 49 to 245, with higher score indicating better functioning.

  2. Mean change from baseline Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9)

    Time frame: Screening (-1 to -14 days), Baseline (Day 1), During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52)

    Depression. A multipurpose instrument for screening, measuring, and monitoring severity of depression. Scores range from 0-27, with higher score indicating greater severity of depression.

  3. Mean change from baseline Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD-7)

    Time frame: Screening (-1 to -14 days), Baseline (Day 1), During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52)

    Anxiety. A multipurpose instrument for screening, measuring, and monitoring severity of anxiety. Scores range from 0-21, with higher score indicating greater severity of anxiety.

  4. Mean change from baseline PROMIS-sleep disturbance

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52)

    Sleep. A domain focused self report of global, physical, mental, and social health for those living with a chronic condition. Computer adapted test with higher scores indicating more sleep disturbance. Results reported as a T-score with range from 10-90 based on the United States general population average score of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Higher t-score indicates greater sleep disturbance.

  5. Mean change from baseline Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21)

    Cognition. A measure of cognitive processing speed and attention. Scores range from 0-120, with higher scores better performance.

  6. Mean change from baseline Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A)

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21)

    Cognition. A computerized test that measures short-term memory, with scores from 85-115 indicating a normal result. Response time, response time variability, commissions, and omissions are also recorded. A higher total number correct score indicates better performance.

  7. Mean change from baseline Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA)

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21)

    Cognition. A brief screening tool to assess global cognitive functioning and detect mild cognitive dysfunction. Scored from 0-30 with higher score indicating better performance.

  8. Mean Client Satisfaction Questionnaire - 8 (CSQ-8)

    Time frame: During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52)

    Feasibility. This tool is a self-report measure participant satisfaction with the intervention. Scored 8-32 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.

  9. Mean change from baseline Frenchay activities index

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), During-treatment (Day 7-9), Post-Treatment (Day 14-21), 1 Month Post-Treatment (Day 45-52)

    Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). A measure of instrumental ADLs (domestic chores, leisure/work, outdoor activities) for individuals recovering from stroke. Scored from 15-60 with higher score indicating improved functioning.

  10. Change in resting state brain functional connectivity.

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Post-treatment (Day 14-21)

    Change in functional connectivity in the active vs. the sham arms assessed by a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan (rs-fMRI).

Study contacts

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

Zhiyan Yang, M.A.

CONTACT

[email protected]

(212) 746-1509

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Other

Collaborators

  • American Heart Association

Registry information

Official study title

Home-based Post-stroke Fatigue Treatment Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 18, 2023
Registry last updated
Feb 27, 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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