Direct Current Stimulation for Walking Problems After Stroke

This study is looking into how direct current stimulation might help people with long-term walking problems after a stroke. Many people experience ongoing difficulties with walking, which can affect their daily lives. This research aims to understand what causes problems with how your legs coordinate when you walk after a stroke, and how this affects your overall walking ability. You might be able to join if you are between 25 and 90 years old, had a stroke more than 6 months ago, and can walk for at least 6 minutes at your own pace. The study will measure brain activity (corticomotor excitability), skin reflexes (cutaneous reflexes), and nerve reflexes (H-reflexes) right before and after the direct current stimulation. The current status of this study is unclear, but it plans to enroll 50 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 50 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
Participants will receive direct current stimulation for 20 minutes. Measurements of brain and nerve reflexes will be taken immediately before and after this intervention.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements are taken immediately before and immediately after the intervention, so long-term follow-up is not specified.

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

NCT07006818

Impaired Interlimb Coordination During Locomotion in Individuals With Chronic Stroke: Contributors and Effect on Walking Function

Active, Not Recruiting
NAAges 25–90InterventionalBasic science
University of Illinois at Chicago
~50 participants
Updated 2026-08-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Direct current stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Corticomotor excitability
Measured over immediately before and after immediately after the intervention
+2 more outcomes measured
Stroke

NCT07006818

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.

  • University of Illinois at Chicago

    Chicago, Illinoisno site contact published

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

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age: 25 - 90 years of age
Monohemispheric stroke
Chronic phase (\> 6 months post stroke)
Ability to walk for at least 6 minutes at a self-selected comfortable speed

Exclusion

Lesions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum
Other neurological disorders
Current botox treatments for the lower limb
Significant cognitive or communication impairment
Previous adverse reaction to TMS
Skull abnormalities or fractures
Concussion within the prior 6 months
Unexplained, recurring headaches
Implanted cardiac pacemaker
Metal implants in the head or face
History of seizures or epilepsy
Use of medications that could increase risk of seizure
Current pregnancy
Skin hypersensitivity at any sites of stimulation, including the scalp, thoracolumbar spine, and peripheral limbs
History of contact dermatitis at any of the sites of stimulation
History of allodynia and/or hyperalgesia
Active skin infection
Skin lesions
Deep vein thrombosis
Any other skin or scalp condition that could be aggravated by stimulation
Implanted electronic, metallic, or highly conductive devices near site of stimulation that cannot be removed without permission from a health professional
  • Corticomotor excitabilityimmediately before and after immediately after the intervention

    Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to measure change in contralateral and ipsilateral corticomotor excitability of the paretic tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris. TMS will be applied at different intensities, and the response (motor evoked potential) is measured in the paretic TMS. Corticomotor excitability will be measured as the slope of the input output curve (intensity vs. response). Higher values represent greater corticomotor excitability.

  • Cutaneous reflexesimmediately before and after immediately after the intervention

    A train of 5 short duration (1 ms) electrical pulses at \~300 Hz will be applied to the cutaneous superficial peroneal nerve. These pulses elicit reflex responses in muscles throughout the leg (cutaneous reflexes). Amplitude of muscle activation during stimulation will be compared to periods without stimulation.

  • H-reflexesimmediately before and after immediately after the intervention

    1ms electrical pulses will be applied to the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve. Two evoked potentials (M-wave and H-reflex) in the muscle that will be recorded with electromyography (EMG). Stimulations will be applied at a variety of intensities ranging from 70% of H-reflex threshold up to 120% of M-Max. M and H input-output curves will be generated. We will extract the maximal H-reflex response at any intensity (H-max), calculate the H-max/M-max ratio, and determine the slope of the ascending portion of the H-reflex curve (determined with a sigmoidal function).