HD-tDCS in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (NCT06719947) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 2/3
HD-tDCS in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Brazil, Chile80 participantsStarted 2025-11-28
Plain-language summary
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that causes muscle weakness and rapidly progresses to the loss of mobility and functionality. Studies suggest that High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a technique for modulating motor cortical hyperexcitability. However, evidence on the use of HD-tDCS as a neuromodulator of the diaphragmatic motor cortex in people with ALS is inconclusive.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Both sexes; diagnosis of ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria;
* Age between 18 and 80 years;
* Forced Vital Capacity greater than 50% of predicted;
* Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure greater than 40 cmH2O;
* A telephone number to contact the care team and who signed the study consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Subjects who are unable to understand or perform any of the study procedures;
* Subjects who do not agree to participate or voluntarily request withdrawal from the study at any time;
* Subjects with cardiac, respiratory, or musculoskeletal comorbidities;
* Subjects using invasive mechanical ventilation;
* Subjects with a tracheostomy;
* Subjects with a pacemaker;
* Subjects with metallic brain implants or other electronic implants;
* Subjects with a cochlear implant;
* Subjects with epileptic activity or a history of epilepsy, or a family history of epilepsy;
* Subjects with a history of stroke or tumor;
* Subjects prone to severe hemodynamic fluctuations, acute infectious processes, and/or inflammatory conditions;
* Pregnant women at the time of recruitment;
* Subjects who are unable to complete the intervention protocol.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Cortical excitability assessed via TMS
Timeframe: From the date of randomization (1 week before the start of the intervention) up to 6 months (follow-up)
2
Cortical tissue oxygenation
Timeframe: From the date of randomization (1 week before the start of the intervention) up to 6 months (follow-up)
3
Electromyographic activity of specific respiratory muscles
Timeframe: From the date of randomization (1 week before the start of the intervention) up to 6 months (follow-up)
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06719947
SponsorUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte