Testing nerve stimulation for thinking and arm movement after stroke
Tests non-invasive nerve stimulation in adults with chronic stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Motor Function in People With Chronic Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 50 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT05615610, who can take part
Where in Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong Kong, Hong KongTaking 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
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Trial code
- NCT05615610
- Record updated
- 16 October 2026
- Original description
Upper limb impairment is present in more than 85% of people with stroke, which greatly affect the quality of life, social participation, and performance of daily activities of people with stroke. Previous study also revealed that 53.4% of people after stroke experienced cognitive impairment. Different cognitive domains might be affected following stroke, such as attention, memory, language, and orientation, and the problems with memory are often prominent. Yet, there is no effective treatment for the post-stroke cognitive impairment.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Motor Function in People With Chronic Stroke
Upper limb impairment is present in more than 85% of people with stroke, which greatly affect the quality of life, social participation, and performance of daily activities of people with stroke. Previous study also revealed that 53.4% of people after stroke experienced cognitive impairment. Different cognitive domains might be affected following stroke, such as attention, memory, language, and orientation, and the problems with memory are often prominent. Yet, there is no effective treatment for the post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) are simple and non-invasive treatment to improve upper limb motor function and cognitive function. However, no existing studies have explored on the effects of tSCS and tVNS on cognitive function in people with stroke. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on improving upper limb function and cognitive function in people with chronic stroke.
Inclusion: aged between 50 and 80; have suffered from a single stroke at least 6 months; had volitional control of the non-paretic arm and at least minimal antigravity movement in the paretic shoulder.
Exclusion: are taking medication that may affect measured outcomes; are participating in other drug/treatment programs; have cardiac pacemaker or cochlear implant; have other neurological diseases; have skin lesions, infection, or inflammation near selected position.