Brain Stimulation and Watching Hand Movements for Hand Recovery After Stroke
Tests brain stimulation with watching hand movements in adults with long-term stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Brain Stimulation Combined With Watching Hand Movements to Improve Hand Recovery in Chronic Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Kota Kinabalu, MalaysiaSee the 2 sites
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 59 years old?
Source: NCT07400939, who can take part
Where in Malaysia
- Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah (HUMS)Kota Kinabalu, MalaysiaTaking people
- Queen Elizabeth HospitalKota Kinabalu, MalaysiaEnrolling by invitation
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
- Universiti Malaysia Sabah
- Trial code
- NCT07400939
- Record updated
- 12 May 2026
- Original description
This study investigates the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the combined use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and action observation therapy (AOT) for hand motor recovery in individuals with stroke. Background: While both tDCS and AOT have shown promise individually for stroke rehabilitation, the neural mechanisms of their combined effects remain unclear. Understanding these mechanisms could optimise rehabilitation protocols and improve functional outcomes. Intervention: Participants will receive 10 sessions of anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional motor cortex combined with AOT over two weeks in a clinical setting, followed by 8 weeks of home-based AOT practice. Control groups will receive tDCS alone or AOT alone. Neurophysiological changes will be assessed using motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to evaluate corticospinal excitability. Clinical hand function will be assessed using standardised outcome measures. Measurements: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during intervention (week 2), and after the home practice phase (week 10) to evaluate neuroplastic changes. Significance: This study will provide mechanistic insights into how neuromodulation and observational learning interact to promote motor recovery, informing evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for stroke survivors in Malaysia and globally. Study Design: Randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms, recruiting 60 participants with chronic stroke from Sabah, Malaysia.Read full original descriptionShow less
Investigating The Neurophysiological Mechanisms Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined With Action Observation Therapy On Hand Muscle Neuroplasticity in Chronic Stroke
This study investigates the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the combined use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and action observation therapy (AOT) for hand motor recovery in individuals with stroke. Background: While both tDCS and AOT have shown promise individually for stroke rehabilitation, the neural mechanisms of their combined effects remain unclear. Understanding these mechanisms could optimise rehabilitation protocols and improve functional outcomes. Intervention: Participants will receive 10 sessions of anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional motor cortex combined with AOT over two weeks in a clinical setting, followed by 8 weeks of home-based AOT practice. Control groups will receive tDCS alone or AOT alone. Neurophysiological changes will be assessed using motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to evaluate corticospinal excitability. Clinical hand function will be assessed using standardised outcome measures. Measurements: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during intervention (week 2), and after the home practice phase (week 10) to evaluate neuroplastic changes. Significance: This study will provide mechanistic insights into how neuromodulation and observational learning interact to promote motor recovery, informing evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for stroke survivors in Malaysia and globally. Study Design: Randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms, recruiting 60 participants with chronic stroke from Sabah, Malaysia.
Inclusion: Adults aged 18 to 59 years; Single episode of unilateral stroke and weakness in hand muscles 6 to 24 months post-stroke; No excessive spasticity of the upper limb, defined as grade two or less on Modified Ashworth Scale.
Exclusion: Other existing neurological disorders that lead to poor hand function; Patients diagnosed with posterior circulation infarction; Unable to follow commands due to poor cognitive function; Unilateral neglect; Homonymous hemianopia; Grade four or five hand muscle strength.