Late LTP-like Plasticity Effects of tDCS in Subacute Stroke Patients

NCT02393651 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 48

Last updated 2018-11-28

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Rationale: About 80% of stroke patients suffer motor impairments, but current therapies have limited effects on motor recovery. Therefore, investigating new potential therapeutic approaches is crucial. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive electrical stimulation where a weak current is applied through electrodes over the scalp. This stimulation is known to (1) induce changes in neuronal excitability -which can last up to one day with late LTP-like plasticity protocols in a polarity and site-specific manner, and (2) facilitate motor learning and stroke recovery. So far, several pilot studies have reported beneficial results from tDCS in both subacute and chronic stroke patients, but it's still unclear how tDCS should be repeated over multiple days to optimally enhance recovery and training effects. Using a late LTP-like plasticity protocol could increase effectiveness of standard clinical care rehabilitation sessions and thus enhance the effects of rehabilitation. Therefore, the investigators want to investigate how late LTP-like plasticity tDCS affects rehabilitation in subacute stroke patients. The outcome of this study can provide important guidelines on effective motor therapy during stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: Identify the effect of late LTP-like plasticity on motor rehabilitation during the subacute phase after stroke.

Study design: Double-blinded, randomized between-subjects trials. Study population: Subacute stroke patients. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome measure is the upper limb motor function during the subacute phase after stroke.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

tDCS

Late LTP-like plasticity tDCS (2 times per week) for 4 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
79 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2015-03-31
Primary Completion
2019-05-31
Completion
2019-05-31

Countries

  • Netherlands

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02393651 on ClinicalTrials.gov