NCT03317860

Brief Summary

This study examines how to best assess and treat post-stroke neglect. This study will examine the preliminary effects of an innovative intervention (repetitive task-specific practice + transcranial direct current stimulation) for individuals with neglect. This study will also determine whether items from various neglect assessments can be combined to establish a more comprehensive neglect measure.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
17

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable stroke

Timeline
4mo left

Started Jul 2018

Longer than P75 for not_applicable stroke

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

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 Progress95%
Jul 2018Sep 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 18, 2017

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 23, 2017

Completed
8 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 2, 2018

Completed
8.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 30, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 30, 2026

Last Updated

September 17, 2025

Status Verified

September 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

8.3 years

First QC Date

October 18, 2017

Last Update Submit

September 16, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

perceptual disorderscerebrovascular disordersneurobehavioral manifestationsneurologic manifestationsneglectnon-invasive brain stimulationrehabilitationtDCSparesis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in excitability of fronto-parietal connectivity

    Excitability of fronto-parietal connectivity measured by paired pulse twin coil transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) test. In each session, the difference in excitability of fronto-parietal connectivity between pre and post stimulation will be measured.

    Participants will be assessed at baseline and 30 minutes later

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in upper extremity kinematics

    Participants will be assessed at baseline and 30 minutes later

  • Change on Behavioral Inattention Test

    Participants will be assessed at baseline and 1.5 hours later (immediately following experimental condition)

Other Outcomes (3)

  • Catherine Bergego Scale

    Participants in the cross-sectional study will be assessed at baseline.

  • Behavioral Inattention Test

    Participants in the cross-sectional study will be assessed at baseline.

  • Naturalistic Action Test

    Participants in the cross-sectional study will be assessed at baseline.

Study Arms (2)

Sham tDCS plus RTP

SHAM COMPARATOR

Single session of bilateral sham parietal cortex tDCS (for 30 minutes) paired with repetitive task-specific practice (RTP)

Device: Sham tDCS

Active tDCS plus RTP

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Single session of bilateral active parietal cortex tDCS (2.0 mA for 30 minutes) paired with repetitive task-specific practice (RTP)

Device: Active tDCS

Interventions

Sham tDCSDEVICE

Sham tDCS will be delivered for 30 minutes in conjunction with repetitive task-specific practice for the arm/hand. tDCS is a form of noninvasive brain stimulation. Electrodes will be placed on the scalp but in the sham condition they will not deliver direct current (2mA). Sham tDCS will be delivered for 30 minutes in conjunction with repetitive task-specific practice for the arm/hand. Repetitive task-specific practice (RTP). Participants will practice using their paretic arm/hand to complete functional movements during the 30 minute train

Also known as: noninvasive brain stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation
Sham tDCS plus RTP

Sham tDCS will be delivered for 30 minutes in conjunction with repetitive task-specific practice for the arm/hand. tDCS is a form of noninvasive brain stimulation. Electrodes will be placed on the scalp but in the sham condition they will not deliver direct current (2mA). Sham tDCS will be delivered for 30 minutes in conjunction with repetitive task-specific practice for the arm/hand. Repetitive task-specific practice (RTP). Participants will practice using their paretic arm/hand to complete functional movements during the 30 minute train

Also known as: noninvasive brain stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation
Active tDCS plus RTP

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke 3 months post stroke.
  • Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMA-Upper Extremity) score between 20-56/60
  • Inducible motor evoked potential (MEP) of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) on the paretic stimulation (TMS)
  • Demonstrate the presence of unilateral neglect (Virtual Reality Lateralized Attention Test score \<18)

You may not qualify if:

  • History of cortical hemorrhagic stroke
  • Presence of any MRI, TMS, tDCS risk factors including:
  • history of seizures
  • history of brain tumor
  • hardware in skull or spine (e.g. coils, clips)
  • implantable medical device (e.g. pacemaker)
  • metal in body (not compatible with MRI)
  • pregnancy
  • Severe spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale score 3)
  • Severe aphasia or cognitive impairment limiting participants' comprehension (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Level of Consciousness Commands Item score 1 or Best Language Item score 2)
  • Unable to travel to UE Motor Function Laboratory at the Center for Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions (a collaborative, MOU approved, research center Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the Medical University of South Carolina) for the study

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15240, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Longley V, Hazelton C, Heal C, Pollock A, Woodward-Nutt K, Mitchell C, Pobric G, Vail A, Bowen A. Non-pharmacological interventions for spatial neglect or inattention following stroke and other non-progressive brain injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jul 1;7(7):CD003586. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003586.pub4.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

StrokePerceptual DisordersCerebrovascular DisordersNeurobehavioral ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsParesis

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological Techniques

Study Officials

  • Emily S. Grattan, PhD MS BS

    VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Emily S Grattan, PhD MS BS

CONTACT

George F Wittenberg, MD PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Participants will receive both conditions (active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation paired with arm rehabilitation training \[repetitive task-specific practice\]) in this cross-over design study. Individuals will be randomized to determine which condition they receive first and the participant and treatment therapist and assessor will be blinded to the order that the interventions are delivered. The PI will oversee randomization so that each patient is randomized and assigned a unique five digit code. When this code is entered on the tDCS device, the device will automatically assign the patient to receive either real or sham stimulation. Because the sham stimulation provides a ramp up/ramp down stimulation for 15 seconds at the start and end of the session the participant may perceive the sham stimulation as active stimulation.
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
FED
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 18, 2017

First Posted

October 23, 2017

Study Start

July 2, 2018

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2026

Last Updated

September 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations