NCT07592221 Combined Functional Electrical and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Foot Drop
| NCT ID | NCT07592221 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia |
| Condition | Falls |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 30 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-06-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2028-12-31 |
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 30 participants in total. It began in 2026-06-01 with a primary completion date of 2028-12-31.
⚠ 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 aims to determine if combining the treatments of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) will better help persons with stroke who have difficulty lifting their toes. As part of the treatment, subjects will receive electrical stimulation through pads on their scalp (similar to what one may have received in physical therapy previously to an arm or leg). This protocol is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Subjects will also receive electrical stimulation through pads on their leg. This is called functional electrical stimulation (FES). During treatment sessions, subjects will also perform leg activity/strengthening exercises. The aim is to evaluate whether combining FES and tDCS within a PT session would reduce foot drop as indicated by improvements in the amount of toe clearance and ankle motion persons with stroke.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: To participate, you must be: * 18 years or older * Have had 1 or more strokes (\> 6 months) affecting ankle dorsiflexion. * Discharged from all rehabilitative services. * Can walk independently with/without using an assistive device such as a cane without an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for 15 minutes. Exclusion Criteria: You must not have: * An inability to repeat and understand 2-step commands. * Peripheral neuropathy * Damage to the skull or scalp, such as a fracture History of seizures or epilepsy Extremely high or low blood pressure or heart rate Chest pain or shortness of breath when you are resting Botox injections to your leg or foot in the last 4 months
Contact & Investigator
Gregory Thielman, EdD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Saint Joseph's University
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07592221 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Falls. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07592221 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07592221 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at gthielman@sju.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07592221 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Philadelphia, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07592221 clinical trial?
NCT07592221 is sponsored by Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia. The principal investigator is Gregory Thielman, EdD at Saint Joseph's University. The trial plans to enroll 30 participants.