NCT07400939 Brain Stimulation Combined With Watching Hand Movements to Improve Hand Recovery in Chronic Stroke
| NCT ID | NCT07400939 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Universiti Malaysia Sabah |
| Condition | Stroke |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-04-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-01-20 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2026-04-01 with a primary completion date of 2027-01-20.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with posterior circulation infarction * Unable to follow commands due to poor cognitive function * Unilateral neglect * Homonymous hemianopia * Other existing neurological disorders that lead to poor hand function * Grade four or five hand muscle strength.
Contact & Investigator
Fatimah Ahmedy
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Universit Malaysia Sabah
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07400939 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 59 Years, studying Stroke. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07400939 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07400939 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at candace@moh.gov.my for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07400939 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07400939 clinical trial?
NCT07400939 is sponsored by Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The principal investigator is Fatimah Ahmedy at Universit Malaysia Sabah. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.
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