Effect of tDCS Timing on Motor Recovery in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation (NCT07331779) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of tDCS Timing on Motor Recovery in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation
60 participantsStarted 2026-09-01
Plain-language summary
This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial investigates how the timing of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) influences functional recovery during acute stroke rehabilitation. 198 hospitalized patients with confirmed acute stroke will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. Each day, all participants will receive three tDCS sessions: one before, one during, and one after their rehabilitation session. In each group, only one of these three daily stimulations is active, while the other two are sham, allowing a direct comparison of timing effects while maintaining blinding. All participants will complete 2 sets of five consecutive days of conventional rehabilitation combined with the tDCS protocol (2 weeks). Functional, sensory, psychological, and motor outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention week. The study aims to determine whether the timing of tDCS application influences early post-stroke recovery and to inform the design of future confirmatory trials.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Hospitalization for stroke rehabilitation Hospitalized in a stroke rehabilitation unit at CHU de Liège.
Confirmed acute stroke Diagnosis of acute stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) confirmed by neuroimaging, according to local clinical practice.
Time since stroke In the acute/subacute phase, as defined in the protocol (e.g., within X days/weeks after stroke onset) - to be specified exactly as in your protocol.
Age Age ≥ 18 years.
Capacity to consent Able to understand the study information and provide written informed consent.
Motor impairment of the upper limb Presence of motor deficit of the upper limb on the affected side, sufficient to perform the WMFT tasks (according to protocol thresholds, if specified).
Medically stable Clinically stable and judged by the treating physician as able to participate in daily rehabilitation and tDCS sessions.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Contraindications to tDCS or cranial stimulation
Implanted electronic devices in the head or neck (e.g., deep brain stimulator, cochlear implant, implanted neurostimulator, pacemaker with leads near the head).
Metal implants in the skull (excluding dental fillings) in the area of stimulation.
Large skull defect or craniectomy over the stimulation site.
History of seizures History of epilepsy or unprovoked seizures not adequately controlled, if considered a contraindication to tDCS by the investigator.
Severe cognitive or communication impairment Severe cognitive impairment, apha…
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
Change in upper limb motor function (Wolf Motor Function Test, WMFT)
Timeframe: Baseline (Day 1, pre-intervention) to end of intervention (Day 5, post-intervention).