Cortical Priming to Optimize Gait Rehabilitation in Stroke: a Renewal
Key facts
- Where
- Chicago, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Physical TherapyChicago, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Trial code
- NCT04477330
- Record updated
- 11 May 2026
- Original description
Achieving functional ambulation post stroke continues to be a challenge for stroke survivors, clinicians, and researchers. In the effort to enhance outcomes of motor training, cortical priming using brain stimulation has emerged as a promising adjuvant to conventional rehabilitation. This project focuses on the development of a long term gait rehabilitation protocol using brain stimulation to improve walking outcomes in people with stroke. The project will also aim to understand the neural mechanisms that are associated with response to the intervention.Read full original descriptionShow less
Cortical Priming to Optimize Gait Rehabilitation: Renewal
Achieving functional ambulation post stroke continues to be a challenge for stroke survivors, clinicians, and researchers. In the effort to enhance outcomes of motor training, cortical priming using brain stimulation has emerged as a promising adjuvant to conventional rehabilitation. This project focuses on the development of a long term gait rehabilitation protocol using brain stimulation to improve walking outcomes in people with stroke. The project will also aim to understand the neural mechanisms that are associated with response to the intervention.
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: Metal implants in the head or face; General exclusion criteria; 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; TMS exclusion criteria; Implanted cardiac pacemaker; History of seizures or epilepsy; Currently under medication that could increase motor excitability and lower seizure threshold; Skin hypersensitivity; History of contact dermatitits; History of allodynia and/or hyperalgesia; Any other skin or scalp condition that could be aggravated by tDCS; Unexplained, recurring headaches; Skull abnormalities or fractures; Concussion within the last 6 months; Currently pregnant; tDCS exclusion criteria.