Can a tongue device help stroke survivors regain their balance?
NCT ID NCT05135533
First seen Aug 13, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a device that gently stimulates the tongue, called PoNS, can improve balance and walking in people who had a stroke at least six months ago. Participants receive either real stimulation or a sham (inactive) device, along with balance training, over several weeks. The study measures changes in walking speed and dynamic balance to see if this approach helps with post-stroke recovery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) — a device that delivers mild electrical stimulation to the tongue, paired with gait and balance training.
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this approach could offer a non-invasive way to improve walking and balance in people recovering from stroke, potentially reducing fall risk and enhancing mobility.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with a modest number of participants, and results may not generalize. The stimulation is experimental, and benefits may be modest or not lasting beyond the treatment period.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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