The Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Rehabilitation of Post-Stroke Dysphagia… (NCT07732673) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
The Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Rehabilitation of Post-Stroke Dysphagia During the Subacute Phase in Hospitalized Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Brazil66 participantsStarted 2026-07-16
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine whether the use of tDCS in dysphagia rehabilitation during the subacute phase of stroke assists in the recovery process while patients are still hospitalized. Patients aged 60 to 80 years who have suffered a stroke and are in the subacute phase of the disease, admitted to the hospital, will be recruited to receive tDCS application contralateral to the lesion for 10 sessions, combined with conventional speech-language therapy for swallowing rehabilitation. The primary question it aims to answer is whether the use of tDCS combined with swallowing rehabilitation accelerates recovery compared to conventional speech-language therapy alone.
Who can participate
Age range
60 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:
Inpatients at Hospital Regional Dr. Abelardo Santos. Aged 60 to 80 years. Diagnosis of neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia ranging from mild-to-moderate, moderate, to moderate-to-severe (Padovani et al., 2007).
Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with unilateral cortical lesion, confirmed by brain imaging (Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Subacute phase of stroke (from day 8 post-ictus up to 6 months after stroke onset).
Hemodynamically stable. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13, enabling participation in the intervention protocol.
Signed Informed Consent Form provided by the participant or their legally authorized representative.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients who underwent surgical intervention due to stroke. Presence of electronic devices or metallic implants in the skull or cervical region.
History of recent seizures or uncontrolled epilepsy. Presence of other neurological diseases associated with stroke (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease).
History of multiple previous strokes. Dysphagia resulting from other etiologies, such as cervical trauma or head and neck neoplasms.
Cognitive impairment preventing proper participation in the proposed intervention protocol.
Occurrence of any allergic reaction or adverse effect related to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
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.