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Effect of tDCS Timing on Motor Recovery in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation

NCT07331779 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2026-01-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial investigates how the timing of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) influences functional recovery during acute stroke rehabilitation. Sixty hospitalized patients with confirmed acute stroke will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. Each day, all participants will receive three tDCS sessions: one before, one during, and one after their rehabilitation session. In each group, only one of these three daily stimulations is active, while the other two are sham, allowing a direct comparison of timing effects while maintaining blinding. All participants will complete five consecutive days of conventional rehabilitation combined with the tDCS protocol. Functional, sensory, psychological, and motor outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention week. The study aims to determine whether the timing of tDCS application influences early post-stroke recovery and to inform the design of future confirmatory trials.

Conditions

  • Acute Stroke

Interventions

DEVICE

tDCS

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is delivered using a non-invasive electrical stimulation device that applies a low-intensity direct current (2 mA) through two saline-soaked sponge electrodes placed on the scalp. Each participant receives three stimulation sessions per day: one before, one during, and one after their rehabilitation session. In each randomized group, only one of these three daily stimulations is active, while the other two are sham (brief ramp-up and ramp-down without sustained current). The active stimulation lasts 20 minutes. Sham sessions mimic the initial sensations of stimulation to maintain blinding. Electrode placement is standardized according to the lesioned hemisphere. All participants receive five consecutive days of this combined protocol alongside their usual rehabilitation program.

DEVICE

Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (Sham tDCS)

Sham tDCS is delivered using the same device and electrode placement as active stimulation, but without administering a sustained electrical current. The device applies a brief ramp-up and ramp-down of current at the beginning and end of the session to mimic the initial sensations of active tDCS (e.g., tingling or warmth), after which no current is delivered. Each participant receives three tDCS sessions per day (before, during, and after rehabilitation), but only one is active; the other two are sham. Sham stimulation is used to maintain double-blinding and ensure that participants and assessors cannot distinguish between active and inactive sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Liege

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-01
Primary Completion
2029-12-31
Completion
2029-12-31

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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 NCT07331779 on ClinicalTrials.gov