Brain Stimulation to Study Brain-Muscle Communication After Stroke
Tests brain stimulation to see if it improves hand squeezing in adults with stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Modulation of Brain Rhythms in Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Chapel Hill, United StatesSee 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 45 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT07121582, who can take part
Where in United States
- Bondurant HallChapel Hill, 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 North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Trial code
- NCT07121582
- Record updated
- 27 April 2026
- Original description
The goal of this research study is to examine communication between brain and muscle in individuals with stroke and determine if applying non-invasive brain stimulation to different parts of the brain improves this communication and performance on a hand squeezing task.Read full original descriptionShow less
Modulation of Beta Oscillatory Rhythms in Stroke to Promote Corticomuscular Circuit Function
The goal of this research study is to examine communication between brain and muscle in individuals with stroke and determine if applying non-invasive brain stimulation to different parts of the brain improves this communication and performance on a hand squeezing task.
The investigators will fit participants with an electroencephalography (EEG) cap and place electromyography (EMG) stickers on participants hand and arm muscles to record brain and muscle activity, respectively.
Participants will complete a single research visit lasting approximately 3 hours. During this visit, participants will receive two different types of non-invasive brain stimulation: [1] stimulation to the motor part of the brain and [2] stimulation to the visual part of the brain. Participants will be randomized so that half will receive stimulation to the motor part of the brain first followed by stimulation to the visual part of the brain second and vice versa. Participants will complete three blocks of hand squeezing trials using the stroke-affected (weak) hand. During the first block of squeezing trials, no brain stimulation will occur. During the second and third blocks, participants will receive stimulation just before each hand squeezing trial. The investigators will record participants' brain and muscle activity during these blocks of hand squeezing trials. Additionally, participants will also complete screening tests and exams looking at mood, motor function, and cognition.
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: Concurrent physical/occupational therapy and/or clinical trial participation related to stroke; Contraindications to TMS (seizure activity within past 2 years, pregnancy, indwelling metal); Injury or conditions that impact affected extremity-use beyond stroke (e.g., arthritis); Cerebellar stroke; Major medical/neurological/psychiatric condition impacting physical function in the opinion of the physician co-investigator; Cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment < 21 points); Impaired vision despite use of aid (e.g. glasses, contacts, etc.); Absent ipsilesional motor-evoked potential response.