NCT07793799Enrolling by invitation
Comparison of NMES, tDCS, and TMS Treatments in Post-Stroke Dysphagia
Comparative Effects of NMES, tDCS, and TMS Added to Conventional Dysphagia Therapy in Acute Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 31 Aug 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
This randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) administered alone or in combination with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in adults with post-stroke dysphagia. A total of 40 participants will be randomly assigned to four parallel groups, with 10 participants in each group: NMES combined with sham tDCS, NMES combined with sham TMS, active tDCS combined with NMES, and active TMS combined with NMES. Each participant will receive 10 treatment sessions. Swallowing function will be assessed before and after treatment using clinical swallowing assessments and videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations. Treatment effectiveness will be evaluated using the Toronto Bedside Swallowing Screening Test, Functional Oral Intake Scale, Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) and Bolus Residue Scale. The study seeks to determine whether combining central stimulation methods with NMES provides greater improvements in swallowing safety, dysphagia severity, pharyngeal residue, and oral intake than NMES-based control interventions.
- Status (registry)
- Enrolling by invitation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 40 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 26 Aug 2026
- Start date
- May 2024
- Primary completion date
- Dec 2026
- Lead sponsor
- Atlas University
- Diseases
- Stroke
- NCT number
- NCT07793799
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 40
- From May 2024 to the primary completion date, Dec 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Presence of a metallic implant in the body or skull
Other illness
- Presence of typical neurological findings suggestive of brainstem stroke
- Presence of a neoplastic disease in the head and neck region or a history of radiotherapy to this region
- Presence of an additional musculoskeletal disorder that may cause swallowing impairment
- Presence of a neurological disorder other than stroke that may cause swallowing impairment, including traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or multiple sclerosis
- Presence of a cardiac pacemaker, deep brain stimulator, or ear tube
- History of epileptic seizures
Other
- Inadequate sitting balance or inability to maintain the head in an upright position, with or without support
Who the study is looking for
- Aged 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
- Diagnosis of hemispheric stroke
- Presence of swallowing difficulty or symptoms of dysphagia
- Ability to cooperate and follow instructions
- Absence of skin problems or abnormal tissue growth that would interfere with electrode placement
Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istinye Bahçeşehir Liv Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Istanbul | Turkey (Türkiye) | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.