Tests brain stimulation to aid recovery after stroke or phantom limb pain
Tests magnetic brain stimulation in adults with stroke or phantom limb pain.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Novel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques in Neurological Rehabilitation
Key facts
- Where
- Milan, ItalySee 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 18 and 85 years old?
Source: NCT05766059, who can take part
Where in Italy
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCSMilan, ItalyTaking 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
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano
- Trial code
- NCT05766059
- Record updated
- 17 September 2025
- Original description
Paired associative stimulation (PAS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation protocol, where two stimuli (a peripheral and a cortical one, the latter delivered with transcranial magnetic stimulation - TMS) are repeatedly associated to enhance plasticity in the brain. In the present study, a new cross-modal, visuo-motor PAS protocol - called "mirror-PAS"- will be tested as a possible non-invasive brain stimulation treatment in neurological rehabilitation to promote motor recovery and pain reduction.Read full original descriptionShow less
Novel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Techniques in Neurological Rehabilitation: Cross-modal Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) Protocols to Promote Plastic Reorganization in Stroke and Phantom Limb Pain Patients
Paired associative stimulation (PAS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation protocol, where two stimuli (a peripheral and a cortical one, the latter delivered with transcranial magnetic stimulation - TMS) are repeatedly associated to enhance plasticity in the brain. In the present study, a new cross-modal, visuo-motor PAS protocol - called "mirror-PAS"- will be tested as a possible non-invasive brain stimulation treatment in neurological rehabilitation to promote motor recovery and pain reduction.
Participants will perform the standard PAS targeting the motor system and the recently developed mirror-PAS in two separate sessions. The investigators will compare the possible effect of the protocols in terms of neurophysiological and behavioral outcomes to identify the optimal PAS method to enhance plasticity and promote sensory-motor function.
Inclusion: age from 18 to 85 years; single, unilateral, hemispheric stroke (cortical or sub-cortical areas); stroke confirmed by neuroimaging (CT or MRI); stroke at least 4 months before enrollment; hemiparesis of the upper limb resulting from stroke or hemianesthesia clinically documented; age from 18 to 90 years; amputation of one part of the upper limb at least 2 months before enrollment; presence of stable phantom limb pain at least 2 months prior to enrollment.
Exclusion: other neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS); other orthopedic condition that affected the hand (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome); other neurological, orthopedical or psychiatric conditions; contraindications to TMS (Rossi et all, 2021); contraindications to TMS (Rossi et all, 2021).