Studies open and hidden placebo effects on brain activity in stroke patients
Compares open and hidden placebo with brain stimulation in adults recovering from stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Mechanisms of Open and Hidden Placebo in Stroke Recovery
Key facts
- Where
- Cambridge, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Spaulding Hospital CambridgeCambridge, 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
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT05832567
- Record updated
- 14 July 2026
- Original description
This trial aims to investigate whether placebo in isolation (open and hidden) has a specific neural signature in stroke subjects thus providing a novel mechanism to explain placebo effects that can be used to ultimately enhance stroke rehabilitation therapies.Read full original descriptionShow less
Mechanisms of Open and Hidden Placebo in Stroke Recovery
This trial aims to investigate whether placebo in isolation (open and hidden) has a specific neural signature in stroke subjects thus providing a novel mechanism to explain placebo effects that can be used to ultimately enhance stroke rehabilitation therapies.
Inclusion: Adults with hemiparesis due to chronic stroke; Stroke duration of 6 months or more; Fugl-Meyer scale upper extremity motor assessment score of > 11 and ≤ 56; Pre-stroke disability (defined as a score of < 3 on the Modified Rankin Scale); Age 18 or older.
Exclusion: TMS contraindications: electronic hardware in close contact to the discharging coil such as cochlear implant, internal pulse generator or medical pump; Concurrent unstable medical conditions; Stroke of anterior cerebral artery territory with prefrontal lesion and stroke-related decreased EEG power in the prefrontal cortex; Unable to understand instructions; A score of 24 or higher on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS); Joint or paretic extremity pain likely to interfere with assessments; Pregnancy.