Brain Stimulation for Stroke

Overseen by Ela Plow, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a treatment combining magnetic brain stimulation and arm/hand exercises for stroke survivors with significant arm/hand difficulties. The magnetic pulses aim to activate brain areas to improve movement coordination. This method has been studied for its potential to enhance motor recovery after stroke.

Research Team

Ela Plow, PhD

Principal Investigator

The Cleveland Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for stroke survivors aged 18-90, at least 6 months post-stroke, with moderate to severe hand impairment but enough wrist and finger movement for tasks. Excluded are those with brainstem or cerebellar strokes, multiple sensorimotor strokes, cognitive issues, extreme hand impairment or spasticity, recent therapy or Botox treatments, and contraindications to TMS/MRI.

Inclusion Criteria

You must be between 18 and 90 years old.

You had a stroke at least 6 months ago.

Your weak hand has a score of 11 or less out of 14 on the UEFM test.

Exclusion Criteria

You have had a stroke in the brainstem or cerebellum.

You have had strokes on both sides of your brain or multiple strokes that affect movement and feeling.

You have trouble with memory and thinking.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Novel rTMS Approach (Behavioural Intervention)
• Sham rTMS Approach (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests a new non-invasive brain stimulation method combined with upper limb training over 12 sessions in six weeks. Participants will undergo MRI and motor function/control tests before treatment starts, after the last session, and one month later to measure improvement.

Participant Groups

Group I: cHMC rTMS + Upper Limb Training Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Real Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation given to facilitate the Contralesional Higher Motor Cortices+ Upper Limb Training

Group II: Sham rTMS + Upper Limb Training Training Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over Contralesional Higher Motor Cortices+ Upper Limb Training

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Cleveland Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,072

Recruited

1,377,000+

David Peter

The Cleveland Clinic

Chief Medical Officer

MD, board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Tomislav Mihaljevic

The Cleveland Clinic

Chief Executive Officer since 2018

MD from University of Zagreb School of Medicine

American Heart Association

Collaborator

Trials

352

Recruited

6,196,000+

Eduardo Sanchez

American Heart Association

Chief Medical Officer since 2013

MD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, MPH from UT Health Science Center at Houston, MS in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University

Katrina McGhee

American Heart Association

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington