Brain stimulation before walking and thinking exercises for people with stroke
Tests magnetic brain stimulation before walking-and-thinking training in people with chronic stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of rTMS Combined With Dual-Task Gait Training on Walking and Cognition After Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
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
- NCT07356687
- Record updated
- 10 July 2026
- Original description
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will investigate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can enhance the effects of dual-task gait training in people with chronic stroke. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either active rTMS or sham rTMS immediately before the same standardized dual-task gait training program.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effects of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex rTMS Primed Dual-Task Gait Training on Walking and Cognitive Outcomes After Stroke: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will investigate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can enhance the effects of dual-task gait training in people with chronic stroke. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either active rTMS or sham rTMS immediately before the same standardized dual-task gait training program.
The intervention includes 12 sessions over 3 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after training, and at 4-week follow-up. Co-primary outcomes are dual-task mobility and cognitive performance during walking, quantified using dual-task cost (DTC) for gait speed and cognitive-task performance during dual-task walking (e.g., Serial 7s; Shopping List Recall). Secondary outcomes include balance/mobility, community participation, mood/sleep measures, and fall incidence.
To explore mechanisms, prefrontal cortex activity during single- and dual-task walking will be recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and mediation analyses will examine whether changes in PFC activity explain intervention effects.
Inclusion: Unilateral ischemic or hemorrhagic hemispheric stroke; Age ≥ 50 years; -≥ 6 months post-stroke; Medically stable; Able to walk independently ≥ 1 minute (assistive device allowed); Able to follow commands; mRS 1-3; MoCA ≥ 22.
Exclusion: Concurrent formal rehabilitation elsewhere; Other neurological disorders; TMS contraindications (e.g., pacemaker, intracranial metal, seizure history, pregnancy); Contraindications to exercise (e.g., unstable angina); Pain/illness limiting performance; Cerebellar/brainstem injury; Severe aphasia (NIHSS item 9 ≥ 2); RMT cannot be determined; Fails TMS safety screening.