NCT06244914 Combined taVNS and tDCS in Subacute Stroke Patients
| NCT ID | NCT06244914 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | National Cheng-Kung University Hospital |
| Condition | Ischemic Stroke |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 80 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-02-15 |
| Primary Completion | 2025-04-30 |
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 80 participants in total. It began in 2024-02-15 with a primary completion date of 2025-04-30.
⚠ 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
Ischemic stroke, the most prevalent neurological disorder, is treated with medication and thrombectomy but with limited success, especially in chronic stages where traditional rehabilitation is the primary option. Stroke often leads to post-stroke autonomic imbalance, deteriorating functional outcomes and increasing recurrence risk. Emerging non-pharmacological treatments like Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Focused Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) offer new possibilities. VNS targets post-stroke tissue injury and promotes healing and neurogenesis, while tDCS aims to enhance motor learning by rebalancing brain activity. Both therapies seek to improve outcomes in both acute and chronic stroke stages.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years old * Subacute ischemic stroke patients within 7-30 days after stroke symptoms is stabilized * Stroke will be documented by DWI-MRI * Lesion locations at least involve supratentorial area * Patients have unilateral weakness documented with manual muscle testing scales less than 4 * Stable vital signs and stable neurological signs * Able to receive regular rehabilitation programs, and 8) modified Rankin Scales (mRS) less than 5. Exclusion Criteria: * A National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score \> 25 at study entry * The presence of hemineglect * Moderate-to-severe pain in any limb * Unstable clinical condition * Recurrent strokes or brainstem strokes * Marked arrhythmia or cardiovascular complications * Bradycardia (HR≤50 bpm) or low blood pressure (SBP≤100 mmHg or DBP≤60mmHg) at admission * Patients with radiographic evidence or suspicion of chronic conditions that may predispose them to intracranial hemorrhage including brain arteriovenous malformations, cerebral cavernous malformations, cerebral telangiectasia, multiple previous intracerebral hemorrhages (amyloid angiopathy) * Pre-existing coagulopathy, consist of platelet count of ≤100, INR≥ 3, PTT≥ 90 * Patients suspected of having infective endocarditis and ischemic stroke related to septic emboli * Signs or symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, including EKG findings * Concomitant experimental therapy * Suspected cerebral vasculitis based on medical history and CTA/Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) * Suspected cranial dural arteriovenous fistula, and evidence of dissection in the intracranial cerebral arteries * Cerebral venous thrombosis and significant mass effect with midline shift * History of left atrial myxoma * Presence of contraindication for VNS (TENS) and tDCS: (A) Intracranial space occupied lesion, (B) Presence of a pacemaker, (C) History of brain neurosurgery, (D) Active CNS or systemic infection, (E) Presence of a metallic foreign body implant, (F) Skin abnormalities, (G) History of alcohol/drug abuse, (H) Epilepsy/History of epilepsy at family (I) Hyperacusis, (J) Cognitive/Consciousness disturbance, (K) Pregnancy or nursing females, (L) Use of neuropsycoactive drugs, (M) Psychiatric/ Neurologic disease * Not suitable for equipping ECG recorders: (A) Chronic disease, and allergic to polyester, (B) Acute and severe patients
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06244914 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Ischemic Stroke. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06244914 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06244914 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at pishansung@gmail.com for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06244914 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Tainan, Taiwan.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06244914 clinical trial?
NCT06244914 is sponsored by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital. The trial plans to enroll 80 participants.
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