Tests brain stimulation with rehabilitation to prevent pain after stroke
Tests brain stimulation with rehabilitation in adults recovering from stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effect of Early Neuromodulation Coupled With Rehabilitation on the Prevention of Post-stroke Pain
Key facts
- Where
- Clermont-Ferrand and Enval, FranceSee the 2 sites
Where in France
- CHU Clemront-FerrandClermont-Ferrand, FranceNo longer taking part
- CH Etienne ClémentelEnval, FranceNo longer taking part
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 Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
- Trial code
- NCT07202455
- Record updated
- 23 December 2025
- Original description
This is a prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS stimulation, coupled with conventional rehabilitation, on the development of post-stroke neuropathic pain.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of Early Neuromodulation Coupled With Rehabilitation on the Prevention of Post-stroke Pain
This is a prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS stimulation, coupled with conventional rehabilitation, on the development of post-stroke neuropathic pain.
The study involves a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled experimental protocol involving 2 parallel groups with patients allocated according to a Fleming design (40 patients in the active group, 20 patients in the control group).
The study is aimed at sub-acute post-stroke patients. After recruitment, they will receive 10 sessions of tDCS stimulation (2mA, 20 minutes with a current on/off ramp of 0.1 mA/s). For the control group, stimulation will stop after the current ramp.
Inclusion: Age ≥18 years; Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by MRI or scanner; Lesion(s) in somato-sensory areas (i.e. mainly in: the pons, thalamus, internal capsule, basal ganglia and operculo-insular regions); Sensory and/or motor deficit requiring rehabilitation; Subacute stage (7 to 45 days post-stroke); No neurological deficit or chronic neuropathic pain prior to stroke; No neuropathic pain at inclusion; Patient can be followed throughout the study; Information letter read and understood; Able to give informed consent to participate in research; Affiliation with a social security scheme.
Exclusion: Patients participating in another research protocol involving a drug in the 30 days prior to inclusion; Drug or psychoactive substance abuse; Contraindication to tDCS (epilepsy/history of epilepsy, intracranial ferromagnetic material or implanted stimulator, acute eczema or irritated skin over the stimulation area); Patients with Parkinson's disease; Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia); Any tumor disease with a life expectancy of <1 year; Contraindication to MRI (use of a pacemaker or insulin pump, wearing of a metal prosthesis, intracerebral clip or piercing, claustrophobia); Cognitive or language difficulties preventing comprehension of instructions and/or correct clinical assessment; Pregnant or breast-feeding women; Patients under guardianship or curatorship, deprived of liberty, safeguard of justice; Major depression; The presence of pre-existing lesions >1.5 cm (maximum diameter) in a cerebral area belonging to the anatomically defined sensorimotor system; Alcohol abuse; Increased intracranial pressure; Patients with a medical device containing electronics or conductive materials; Patients on continuous oxygen (system not adapted).