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Brain Stimulation for Stroke Recovery

This study is looking at how non-invasive brain stimulation might improve communication between the brain and muscles in people who have had a stroke. Researchers will use two types of brain stimulation: Motor Brain Stimulation and Visual Brain Stimulation, applied to different parts of the brain. The goal is to see if these methods can improve how well you perform a hand squeezing task. They will measure changes in brain-muscle communication (Corticomuscular Coherence), how precisely you grip, and your reaction time immediately before and after each stimulation. You may be able to join if you are 45-80 years old, had a stroke at least 6 months ago, and have weakness in one arm. The study plans to enroll 20 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 20 participants. It is a cross-over study, meaning you will receive both types of brain stimulation in a randomized order.
What's involved
You would complete a single research visit lasting about 3 hours. During this visit, you will have an EEG cap and EMG stickers placed on your body, receive brain stimulation, and perform a hand squeezing task.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements are taken immediately before and after each stimulation block, within 5 minutes.

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

NCT07121582

Modulation of Brain Rhythms in Stroke

Recruiting
NAAges 45–80Interventional
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
~20 participants
Updated 2026-04-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Motor Brain StimulationVisual Brain Stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Corticomuscular Coherence Change
Measured over Immediately (within 5 minutes) before and after (within 5 minutes) each stimulation block.
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Stroke

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Stroke

NCT07121582

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.

  • Bondurant Hall

    Chapel Hill, North Carolinastudy 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

  • Jessica M Cassidy, DPT, PT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Who to contact

Jessica M Cassidy, DPT, PT, PhD
[email protected]
919-966-8404
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Chronic (≥ 6 months) unilateral cortical/subcortical ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke as confirmed by medical records
Upper extremity weakness (hemiparesis) contralateral to the stroke
Sufficient cognitive capacity (Montreal Cognitive Assessment ≥ 21 points), communication function, and English proficiency to understand and safely comply with all study procedures
Ipsilesional motor-evoked potential response
Able to perform isometric grip task by making a fist with their stroke-affected hand (hand contralateral to the stroke)

Exclusion

Contraindications to TMS (seizure activity within past 2 years, pregnancy, indwelling metal)
Cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment \< 21 points)
Concurrent physical/occupational therapy and/or clinical trial participation related to stroke
Injury or conditions that impact affected extremity-use beyond stroke (e.g., arthritis)
Impaired vision despite use of aid (e.g. glasses, contacts, etc.)
Cerebellar stroke
Major medical/neurological/psychiatric condition impacting physical function in the opinion of the physician co-investigator
Absent ipsilesional motor-evoked potential response

What this trial measures

  • Corticomuscular Coherence ChangeImmediately (within 5 minutes) before and after (within 5 minutes) each stimulation block.

    Investigators will compute pre/post changes in brain-muscle functional connectivity (i.e., corticomuscular coherence, CMC) following across each block (20 trials/block). Specifically, investigators are focused on CMC in the beta (13-30 Hz) frequency range between the ipsilesional motor cortex (M1) and the affected first dorsal interossei muscle. Investigators will calculate CMC at two distinct phases during the squeezing task that correspond to the ramp/recruitment phase (i.e., squeezing to the target) and the hold/sustain phase (when participant's reach the target and sustain their grip).

  • Grip PrecisionImmediately (within 5 minutes) before and after (within 5 minutes) each stimulation block.

    The variance of participants' force output from a visual target

  • Reaction TimeImmediately (within 5 minutes) before and after (within 5 minutes) each stimulation block.

    The time delay between the grip signal onset (visual cue provided to participants) and the realized force.