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Status unknownNCT04850963Updated Apr 28, 2022

Effects of Dualsite Anodic tDCS on Lower Limbs Function in Patients After Stroke: Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Trial

An interventional study of Transcranial direct current stimulation (Anodal tDCS) + dual-task training and Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS dualsite) + dual-task traning in Stroke, Chronic, sponsored by Federal University of Paraíba. Status unknown at 1 site in Brazil. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 90 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-04-28.

Sponsored by Federal University of Paraíba · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Apr 2022), so the status shown — last known as Recruiting — may be out of date.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
40
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 90 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

It is currently known that Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can modulate cortical activity, being considered an important resource in the treatment of sequelae resulting from stroke. However, evidence of the effects of tDCS on lower limb motor recovery after stroke remains scarce and inconclusive. Furthermore, little is known about the effects of dualsite tDCS in chronic patients. Therefore, the present study seeks to compare the effects of conventional anodic tDCS (M1) with double-site/dualsite anodic tDCS (M1 + DLPFC) and simulated tDCS on lower limb motor function in patients after ischemic stroke in a chronic stage. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial with subjects after stroke. After recruitment and initial screening, participants will be randomized into three groups: G1: anodic tDCS - participants who will receive real current over the primary motor area; G2: dualsite tDCS - participants who will receive real current over the primary motor area and dorsolateral prefrontal area (DLPFC) and G3: simulated tDCS - participants who will receive simulated stimulation. Participants will receive 10 tDCS sessions, for 20 minutes, associated with a physical therapy protocol based on a dual motor and cognitive task, on alternate days (3 times a week). In each phase of the study, pre- and post-intervention evaluations will be carried out, the evaluated outcomes will be: motor function (Fugl-Meyer Scale), functional connectivity (EEG), quality of life (EQ-5D), level of functional disability ( Rankin Scale), static balance (Biodex Balance System) and cognitive function (MoCA). Statistical analyzes will be performed using SPSS software (Version 20.0) and MATLAB 9.2.0 with a significance level of p \<0.05.

Read the detailed description

Participants will be divided into 03 groups: G1: anodic tDCS - participants who will receive real current over the primary motor area; G2: dualsite tDCS - participants who will receive real current over the primary motor area and over the dorsolateral prefrontal area (DLPFC) and G3: simulated tDCS - participants who will receive simulated stimulation. Participants will be entered into the study through the eligibility criteria and will be randomly allocated, with block exchange at a rate of 1:1:1.

In each phase of the study, participants will receive 10 tDCS sessions, for 20 minutes, on alternate days (3 times a week, excluding weekends). The TCT-Research neurostimulator will be used for stimulation. The electrodes will be positioned according to the 10-20 international electroencephalogram classification system. Electrodes wrapped in sponges, moistened with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) will be used. The applied current will be 2mA (5x5 cm active electrodes; 25 cm2; current density of 0.08 mA/cm2).

For group 1 (anodic tDCS) the anodic electrode (5x5 cm) will be applied to the primary motor area (C3/C4) ipsilateral to the lesion and the reference electrode (6x9 cm) to the deltoid muscle region. In group 2 (dualsite tDCS) two active electrodes (5x5 cm) will be used, which will be positioned over the primary motor area (C3/C4) and over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 or F4) in the ipsilateral hemisphere. For this stimulation modality, two active electrodes (anodic) and a reference electrode (6x9 cm) will be used on the deltoid muscle region.

For group 3 (simulated tDCS) the positioning of the electrodes will be the same as for group 1, however the device will be configured in sham mode in which the current will cease 30 seconds after the start of stimulation, in this way the effects of active stimulation will be simulated and the participants will perceive the sensations typically felt, but without the induction of clinical effects (Nitsche \& Paulus, 2000). At the end of each session, participants will be asked to report any unpleasant effects and asked about possible adverse effects. In addition, all participants will be blind to the type of stimulation they will receive.

02

Conditions studied

  • Stroke, Chronic

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Keywords

  • Stroke
  • Transcranial direct current stimulation
03

In context

Stroke

7,286 studies on the registry are indexed under Stroke; 2,007 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 50 across 5,369 interventional studies indexed under Stroke.

Browse Stroke studies →

Lead sponsor

Federal University of Paraíba is the lead sponsor of 72 studies on the registry; 6 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 90 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Single episode of unilateral, ischemic stroke in middle cerebral artery proven by means of magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
  • Classification of brain injury based on the criteria: Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) or Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST);
  • Patients in the chronic stage (after six months after the injury)
  • Individuals over 18 years of age;
  • Both sexes;
  • Absence of mental disorders, assessed using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), with a cut-off point of 7/8 points.
  • Absence of cognitive deficits, assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE> 24).
  • Patients with mild to moderate degree of injury severity (NIHHS \<17 points).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with other associated pathologies that can influence motor activity (example: traumatic brain injury, brain tumor);

    •- Participants unable to complete the initial assessment due to severe aphasia (Token Test \<17);

  • habitual use of drugs or alcohol;
  • Use of drugs that modulate the activity of the Central Nervous System;
  • Gestation;
  • Use of metallic / electronic implants and / or cardiac pacemakers;
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Group 1 - anodal tDCS

    Participants will receive 10 tDCS sessions, for 20 minutes, on days alternate (3 times a week). The neurostimulator TCT-Research will be used for stimulation. The electrodes will be positioned according to the international classification system of the electroencephalogram 10/20. For group 1 (anodic tDCS) the anodic electrode (5x5 cm) will be applied to the primary motor area (C3/C4) ipsilateral to the lesion and the reference electrode (6x9 cm) to the deltoid muscle region. Simultaneously with the tDCS sessions, participants will be submitted to a physical therapy protocol based on motor and cognitive dual-task training. Each task will have a duration of 3 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30s.

    Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS dualsite) + dual-task traning · Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation sham + dual-task training

  • Active comparator
    Group 2 - tDCS dualsite

    Participants will receive 10 tDCS sessions, for 20 minutes, on days alternate (3 times a week). The neurostimulator TCT-Research will be used for stimulation. The electrodes will be positioned according to the international classification system of the electroencephalogram 10/20. In group 2 (dualsite tDCS) two active electrodes (5x5 cm) will be used, which will be positioned over the primary motor area (C3/C4) and over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 or F4) in the ipsilateral hemisphere. For this stimulation modality, two active electrodes (anodic) and a reference electrode (6x9 cm) will be used on the deltoid muscle region. Simultaneously with the tDCS sessions, participants will be submitted to a physical therapy protocol based on motor and cognitive dual-task training. Each task will have a duration of 3 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30s.

    Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (Anodal tDCS) + dual-task training · Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation sham + dual-task training

  • Placebo comparator
    Group 3 - tDCS sham

    Participants will receive 10 tDCS sessions, for 20 minutes, on days alternate (3 times a week). The neurostimulator TCT-Research will be used for stimulation. The electrodes will be positioned according to the international classification system of the electroencephalogram 10/20. For group 3 (simulated tDCS) the positioning of the electrodes will be the same as for group 1, however the device will be configured in sham mode in which the current will cease 30 seconds after the start of stimulation. Simultaneously with the tDCS sessions, participants will be submitted to a physical therapy protocol based on motor and cognitive dual-task training. Each task will have a duration of 3 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30s.

    Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (Anodal tDCS) + dual-task training · Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS dualsite) + dual-task traning

Interventions

  • DeviceTranscranial direct current stimulation (Anodal tDCS) + dual-task training

    anodal tDCS 837 / 5.000 Resultados de tradução Simultaneously with the tDCS sessions, participants will be submitted to a physical therapy protocol based on motor and cognitive dual-task training, which will include: (1) walking repeating phrases spoken by the researcher; (2) walking counting numbers in ascending order; (3) walk while counting the numbers in descending order; (4) walking during the execution of a string of words; (5) Walking while listening to a list of fruits and saying "YES" when hearing the word "strawberry" and (6) walking reciting a phrase backwards. Each task will have a duration of 3 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30s. The tasks will be performed performing forward, side and back march. Subjects will be instructed to focus on both tasks. The training will have a total duration of 20 minutes in each session.

    Also known as: anodal tDCS

  • DeviceTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS dualsite) + dual-task traning

    tDCS dualsite 837 / 5.000 Resultados de tradução Simultaneously with the tDCS sessions, participants will be submitted to a physical therapy protocol based on motor and cognitive dual-task training, which will include: (1) walking repeating phrases spoken by the researcher; (2) walking counting numbers in ascending order; (3) walk while counting the numbers in descending order; (4) walking during the execution of a string of words; (5) Walking while listening to a list of fruits and saying "YES" when hearing the word "strawberry" and (6) walking reciting a phrase backwards. Each task will have a duration of 3 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30s. The tasks will be performed performing forward, side and back march. Subjects will be instructed to focus on both tasks. The training will have a total duration of 20 minutes in each session.

    Also known as: tDCS dualsite

  • DeviceTranscranial direct current stimulation sham + dual-task training

    tDCS sham 837 / 5.000 Resultados de tradução Simultaneously with the tDCS sessions, participants will be submitted to a physical therapy protocol based on motor and cognitive dual-task training, which will include: (1) walking repeating phrases spoken by the researcher; (2) walking counting numbers in ascending order; (3) walk while counting the numbers in descending order; (4) walking during the execution of a string of words; (5) Walking while listening to a list of fruits and saying "YES" when hearing the word "strawberry" and (6) walking reciting a phrase backwards. Each task will have a duration of 3 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30s. The tasks will be performed performing forward, side and back march. Subjects will be instructed to focus on both tasks. The training will have a total duration of 20 minutes in each session.

    Also known as: tDCS sham

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) pre-intervention (T0)

    Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for lower limbs pre-intervention (T0)

    Time frame: The evaluations will be carried out in pre-intervention (T0)

  2. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) after the stimulation protocol (T1)

    Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for lower limbs after the stimulation protocol (T1)

    Time frame: The T1 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Functional connectivity (EEG) pre-intervention (T0)

    The functional connectivity of the target network will be assessed, through the acquisition of the EEG

    Time frame: The evaluations will be carried out in pre-intervention (T0)

  2. Functional connectivity (EEG) after the stimulation protocol (T1)

    The functional connectivity of the target network will be assessed, through the acquisition of the EEG

    Time frame: The T1 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

  3. EQ-5D (T0)

    Quality of life. Presenting a final score from 0 to 100, where 0 corresponds to the worst general state of health and 100 the best state of health.

    Time frame: The evaluations will be carried out in pre-intervention (T0).

  4. EQ-5D (T1)

    Quality of life.Presenting a final score from 0 to 100, where 0 corresponds to the worst general state of health and 100 the best state of health.

    Time frame: The T1 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

  5. Modified Rankin Scale pre-intervention (T0)

    Functional disability. The score on the Rankin scale ranges from 0 to 6, in order to assess the patient's neurological condition, in which the higher the value, the worse the condition. 0 - No symptoms 1. - No significant disabilities 2. - Mild disability 3. - Moderate disability 4. - Moderate-severe disability 5. - Severe disability 6. - Death

    Time frame: The evaluations will be carried out in pre-intervention (T0).

  6. Modified Rankin Scale after the stimulation protocol (T1)

    Functional disability. The score on the Rankin scale ranges from 0 to 6, in order to assess the patient's neurological condition, in which the higher the value, the worse the condition. 0 - No symptoms 1. - No significant disabilities 2. - Mild disability 3. - Moderate disability 4. - Moderate-severe disability 5. - Severe disability 6. - Death

    Time frame: The T1 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

  7. Balance

    Biodex Balance System (BBS)

    Time frame: The T0 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

  8. Balance

    Biodex Balance System (BBS)

    Time frame: The T1 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

  9. MoCA

    Cognitive function

    Time frame: The T0 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

  10. MoCA

    Cognitive function

    Time frame: The T1 assessment will be performed up to one week after the stimulation protocol is completed.

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Federal University of Paraíba,Department of Psychology
    João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 28, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04850963
Lead sponsor
Federal University of Paraíba
Responsible party
Suellen Marinho Andrade (Principal Investigator, Federal University of Paraíba) — Principal investigator
First posted
Apr 20, 2021
Start date
Mar 10, 2022
Primary completion
Dec 24, 2022 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 24, 2022 (estimated)
Last update
Apr 28, 2022

Study contacts

Suellen Andrade
Contact
suellenandrade@gmail.com
+5583999805189
Suellen Andrade
principal investigator · Federal University of Paraíba

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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