NCT01574989

Brief Summary

In this study the investigators aim to investigate the effects of two different types of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques -- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor function in stroke. This is a cross-over study where subjects will receive 5 sessions of stimulation (each separated by 1 week) -- with either active tDCS and sham rTMS, sham tDCS and active rTMS or both sham tDCS and rTMS.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
14

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable stroke

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2011

Longer than P75 for not_applicable stroke

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 1, 2011

Completed
9 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 8, 2012

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 10, 2012

Completed
2.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2014

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

April 24, 2020

Status Verified

April 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

3.5 years

First QC Date

February 8, 2012

Last Update Submit

April 23, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

direct current stimulationmagnetic stimulationtranscranial stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Changes in cortical excitability measures

    We will measure cortical excitability using single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before and after each stimulation session. We will compare the measurements from before stimulation to after stimulation, in each scheduled session, as this study is measuring the effects of a single session of tDCS/rTMS.

    Measured for approximately 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Changes in motor function

    Measured for approximately 6 weeks

Study Arms (5)

Active low-frequency rTMS/sham tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects will have both the rTMS and tDCS on their scalp during the session, however only one will be active. For this arm, the rTMS will be active, low-frequency, and the tDCS will be sham. They will undergo only one session of this condition, and it will last 20 minutes.

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Active high-frequency rTMS/sham tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects will have both the rTMS and tDCS on their scalp during the session, however only one will be active. For this arm, the rTMS will be active, high-frequency, and the tDCS will be sham. They will undergo only one session of this condition, and it will last 20 minutes.

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Sham rTMS/active anodal tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects will have both the rTMS and tDCS on their scalp during the session, however only one will be active. For this arm, the tDCS will be active, anodal, and the TMS will be sham. They will undergo only one session of this condition, and it will last 20 minutes.

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Sham rTMS/active cathodal tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects will have both the rTMS and tDCS on their scalp during the session, however only one will be active. For this arm, the tDCS will be active, cathodal, and the TMS will be sham. They will undergo only one session of this condition, and it will last 20 minutes.

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Sham rTMS/Sham tDCS

SHAM COMPARATOR

Subjects will have both the rTMS and tDCS on their scalp during the session, and both interventions will be sham. They will undergo only one session of this condition, and it will last 20 minutes.

Device: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Interventions

Subjects will either undergo (1) active low-frequency rTMS (1Hz continuous), (2) active high-frequency rTMS (10Hz, 2 second trains with inter-train interval of 28 seconds) or (3) sham rTMS (using a sham coil). Each session will last 20 minutes and will be conducted at 100% of the motor threshold.

Also known as: magnetic stimulation; Magstim
Active high-frequency rTMS/sham tDCSActive low-frequency rTMS/sham tDCSSham rTMS/Sham tDCSSham rTMS/active anodal tDCSSham rTMS/active cathodal tDCS

Subjects will either undergo (1) active anodal tDCS, (2) active cathodal tDCS or (3) sham tDCS. Each session will last 20 minutes and will be conducted using 1mA with 35\^2 electrodes.

Also known as: 1x1 low-intensity direct current stimulator; Soterix Medical
Active high-frequency rTMS/sham tDCSActive low-frequency rTMS/sham tDCSSham rTMS/Sham tDCSSham rTMS/active anodal tDCSSham rTMS/active cathodal tDCS

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 90 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • (1) All subjects must be between the ages of 18-90.

You may not qualify if:

  • History of Major depression, as defined by Beck Depression scale 30;
  • Any substantial decrease in alertness, language comprehension, or attention that might interfere with understanding instructions for motor testing;
  • Contraindications to TMS
  • history of seizures
  • unexplained loss of consciousness
  • metal in the head
  • frequent or severe headaches or neck pain
  • implanted brain medical devices.
  • Contraindications to tDCS
  • metal in the head
  • implanted brain medical devices
  • Advanced liver, kidney, cardiac, or pulmonary disease;
  • A terminal medical diagnosis consistent with survival \< 1 year;
  • Coexistent major neurological or psychiatric disease (to decrease number of confounders);
  • A history of significant alcohol or drug abuse in the prior 6 months;
  • +9 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Elsner B, Kugler J, Pohl M, Mehrholz J. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for improving activities of daily living, and physical and cognitive functioning, in people after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Nov 11;11(11):CD009645. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009645.pub4.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic StimulationTranscranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular DisordersBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Magnetic Field TherapyTherapeuticsElectric Stimulation TherapyConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological Techniques

Study Officials

  • Felipe Fregni, MD PHD MPH

    Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 8, 2012

First Posted

April 10, 2012

Study Start

May 1, 2011

Primary Completion

November 1, 2014

Study Completion

November 1, 2014

Last Updated

April 24, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-04

Locations