Cortical Priming to Optimize Gait Rehabilitation in Stroke

This study is looking at new ways to improve walking after a stroke. It combines transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which uses a mild electrical current to stimulate the brain, with ankle motor training and high-intensity treadmill training. The goal is to see if this combination can help people walk better in the long term. You might be able to join if you are over 18, had your first stroke more than 3 months ago, still have trouble walking on one side, and can walk for at least 5 minutes, even with a cane. The main way they'll measure success is by how much your walking speed improves over 3 months. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design: This interventional study plans to enroll 100 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved: Participants will receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), ankle motor training, and high-intensity interval speed-based treadmill training (HIISTT). Walking speed will be measured immediately after training and at 3 months.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Participants will be followed up for 3 months after training.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Cortical Priming to Optimize Gait Rehabilitation in Stroke: a Renewal

Recruiting

NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment

University of Illinois at Chicago

~100 participants

Updated 2026-05-11 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Ankle motor trainingHigh intensity interval speed based treadmill training (HIISTT)

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Walking speed with 10 meter walk test

Measured over Change from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up

Conditions

Stroke

NCT04477330

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

Physical Therapy
Chicago, Illinoisstudy coordinator listed
Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

Sangeetha Madhavan · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Illinois at Chicago

Who to contact

Sangeetha Madhavan

[email protected]

3123552517

Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age greater than 18 years

First ever monohemispheric stroke \> 3 months since onset

Residual hemiparetic gait deficits (e.g. abnormal gait pattern)

Able to walk for 5 minutes at self-paced speed. Handheld assistive device is acceptable.

Walking speed lesser than 1.2 m/s

Lower limb Fugl-Meyer Motor score between 15-30

At least 5 deg of ankle dorsiflexion necessary to perform the ankle-tracking task

Exclusion

Severe osteoporosis

Contracture-limiting range of motion of lower limb

Score of more than 2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (indicating increased muscle tone through ankle range of motion)

Uncontrolled anti-spasticity medications during the study period

Score less than 6 on the Fugl-Meyer Sensory Assessment Scale for the Lower Limb

Cardiorespiratory or metabolic diseases (e.g. cardiac arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, chronic emphysema)

Unhealed decubiti, persistent infection

Significant cognitive or communication impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)\<21), which could impede the understanding of the purpose of procedures of the study or prevent the patient from performing the ankle-tracking task.

Lesions involving the brainstem and cerebellum

Failure to pass the graded exercise stress test

Implanted cardiac pacemaker

Metal implants in the head or face

Unexplained, recurring headaches

History of seizures or epilepsy

Currently under medication that could increase motor excitability and lower seizure threshold

Skull abnormalities or fractures

Concussion within the last 6 months

Currently pregnant

Skin hypersensitivity

History of contact dermatitits

History of allodynia and/or hyperalgesia

Any other skin or scalp condition that could be aggravated by tDCS

What this trial measures

Walking speed with 10 meter walk testChange from baseline to immediately after training and baseline to 3 months follow up
Self-selected and fastest gait speed will be measured as the average of 3 trials of the 10-m walk test (10MWT).

Trialytics