Zapping the brain to fix wobbly ankles: new study tests rTMS
NCT ID NCT06971705
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve chronic ankle instability when combined with standard ankle training. Forty adults with a history of ankle sprains will receive either real or sham rTMS before their exercises over 4 weeks. Researchers will measure ankle stability, muscle activity, and brain changes using questionnaires and fMRI scans.
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)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new, non-invasive way to improve ankle stability and reduce re-injury risk by targeting brain activity.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study with only 40 people. The results may not apply to everyone, and the sham group might also improve from training alone.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Zhongnan hospital of Wuhan University
Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China