Exploring Brain Stimulation for Stepping After Stroke

This study is exploring how brain stimulation, specifically anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), affects learning to step again after a stroke. You might be eligible if you are between 21 and 90 years old, had a stroke at least six months ago that affected your corticospinal tract (a part of your brain involved in movement), and have weakness in your leg. The study aims to see if combining brain stimulation with stepping exercises improves your stepping control and changes brain activity. There are 108 participants planned for this study. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 108 participants who will be randomly assigned to receive anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), sham tDCS (a placebo stimulation), or no brain stimulation.
What's involved
Participants in the brain stimulation groups will receive five sessions of assigned brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learning. Measurements will be taken at Day 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, and Day 90 after the five sessions.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 90 days after completing the five sessions of brain stimulation and stepping learning.

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

NCT06681207

Explore the Effects of Cortical Priming on Visuomotor Stepping Learning in Persons With Chronic Stroke

Recruiting
NAAges 21–90InterventionalTreatment
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
~108 participants
Updated 2025-09-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mean change from baseline in stepping motor control after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learning
Measured over Day 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training
+1 more outcome measured
Stroke

NCT06681207

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, University of Texas Medical Branch

    Galveston, Texasstudy 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.

  • Shih-Chiao Tseng, PT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Texas

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

  • Mean change from baseline in stepping motor control after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learningDay 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training

    Stepping motor control will be quantified by the time (seconds) that each participant takes to initiate a forward step onto a visual target displayed on the wall screen.

  • Mean change from baseline in brain neuronal activations after five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping learningDay 1, Day 5, Day 7, Day 30, Day 60, Day 9 post five sessions of brain stimulation combined with visuomotor stepping training

    The neuronal activations will be quantified by peak-to-peak electrical signals detected by surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes on leg muscles after transcranial magnetic stimulations