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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Improves Functional Outcomes in Acute Stroke Patients

Not Applicable
Conditions
Stroke, Acute
Interventions
Device: tDCS
Registration Number
NCT03888209
Lead Sponsor
University of Liege
Brief Summary

Acute stroke patient will undergo one month (20 sessions) of physical therapy and anodal tDCS.

Patients will undergo functional outcomes measured at 48h post onset, 7,14,21,28 days, 3 and 6 months and one year post onset.

Detailed Description

Recruitment :

Patients with acute stroke (24-48h after stroke) who have upper and / or lower sensorimotor deficits

• Treatment : After being selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study, patients will be randomized and placed in one of two groups: placebo (P) or transcranial anodic stimulation (A).

Once placed in one of two groups, patients will all receive intensive physiotherapy for functional improvement in order to increase motor, postural and motor control. This physiotherapy will be established 5 times a week (Monday to Friday).

In addition to physiotherapy, the patient will have electrodes placed on his head, attached via a system of straps, to deliver either a continuous current (A) or no current (P) and at a rate of 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Neither the physiotherapist nor the patient will know what treatment he will have received.

• Evaluations and measurements:

Patients will be required to perform functional tests of the upper limb (Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)), filmed and timed, a test of spasticity (Tardieu) as well as to answer certain questionnaires concerning their perception of the evolution of the disease and their disability (Stroke Impact Scale, Barthel Index), their emotional state (HADS), if they have experienced side effects, sensitivity test with monofilaments or Semmes and Weinstein test, the Fugl Meyer, the timed up and go, the test of 10m, the four step square test, the berg balance scale, the postural assessment scale and the trunk impairment scale. These evaluations will take place at Day 0 (corresponding to the first day after the 48h of strict bedtime), Day 7, 15, 30, 90, 6 months and 1 year. They will be done in two stages, on two successive days, so as not to exhaust the patient.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Woman or man
  • Between 18 and 80 years old
  • First ever stroke
  • Capable of signing the consent form
Exclusion Criteria
  • One on the TSST (in high and relatively high risk sections)
  • Previous neurological or orthopedic pathologies affecting limbs
  • Cognitive deficits

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sham tDCStDCSPatients will receive 20 minutes of Sham anodal tDCS
Anodal tDCStDCSPatients will receive 20min anodal tDCS
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Wolf Motor Function Test Change48 hours post onset, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Functional outcome of the paretic limb

Semmes Weinstein Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Monofilament sensory test

Timed up and go Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

walking test

10 meter walk test Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Walking speed test

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Trunk impairment scale Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

balance test, the higher the score the higher the better the patient is

HADS Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Depression and anxiety scale, the higher the score the higher the more depressed or anxious the patient is

Fugl Meyer Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Upper and lower limb motor outcomes, the higher the score the higher the better the patient is

Stroke impact scale Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Scale measuring impact of stroke on life, the higher the score the higher the worse off the patient is

4 square step test Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Balance test, the higher the score the higher the worse the patient is

Tardieu spasticity scale Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

spasticity scale, the higher the score the higher the spasticity

Berg Balance scale Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Balance test, the higher the score the higher the score, the better the patient is

Postural assessement scale Change48 hours post onset, days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post onset, 3 and 6 months post onset and 1 year post onset

Balance test, the higher the score the higher the better the patient is

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Liege Univeristy Hospital

🇧🇪

Liege, Belgium

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