Brain zaps and electric gloves: new hope for stroke survivors with severe hand paralysis?

NCT ID NCT03870672

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether combining two non-invasive therapies can improve hand function in people who had a stroke at least six months ago and have severe arm weakness. The therapies are a brain stimulation technique called rTMS and a device that uses electrical stimulation to open the weak hand, controlled by a glove on the strong hand. Researchers will compare three treatment combinations to see which works best and for whom.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a new rehabilitation therapy that helps people with severe hand weakness after a stroke regain more use of their affected arm.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with only 72 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The improvements may be small or not last long, and brain stimulation can cause discomfort or headache.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hemiplegia Paresis stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT (CVA) HEMIPARESIS HEMIPLEGIA STROKE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Lerner Research Institute; Cleveland Clinic Foundation
RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

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