Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and pelvic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on trunk control, balance and functional mobility in stroke patients

NCT ID NCT07808580

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First seen Sep 09, 2026 ยท Last updated Sep 09, 2026

Summary

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and commonly results in impaired trunk control, postural instability, balance deficits, and reduced functional mobility due to disrupted sensorimotor integration, impaired proprioceptive processing, and decreased cortical excitability. Trunk control is a key determinant of balance, gait performance, and functional independence, making it a critical target in stroke rehabilitation. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) enhances cortical excitability and promotes neuroplasticity through a top-down mechanism, while Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) improves trunk-pelvic control, weight shifting, and sensorimotor integration through a bottom-up proprioceptive facilitation mechanism. Emerging evidence suggests that combining tDCS with Pelvic PNF may improve trunk function and mobility in stroke survivors, supporting the concept of synergistic neuromodulation and motor facilitation. Despite the documented benefits of tDCS and Pelvic PNF individually, the combined application of these interventions remains insufficiently explored, particularly in subacute stroke patients. Most previous studies have focused on gait training, robotic rehabilitation, or other task-oriented interventions, with limited emphasis on trunk-focused pelvic PNF and postural control outcomes. Furthermore, few high-quality randomized controlled trials have evaluated whether simultaneous targeting of central neuroplasticity and peripheral proprioceptive facilitation provides superior improvements in trunk control, balance, and functional mobility. Therefore, this study aims to address this important clinical and methodological gap by investigate the combining effect of Pelvic PNF and tDCS, potentially establishing an evidence-based rehabilitation strategy that optimizes functional recovery after stroke.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

36 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jul 2026

Finished

Sep 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

40 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Both genders * Middle Cerebral Artery Ischemic Stroke * Subacute phase of stroke * Patients experiencing their first ever stroke * Brunnstrom stage 3 * Patients is capable to follow commands Exclusion Criteria: * Frequent seizures or epileptic disorder * Contractures in the spine and lower limb * Patients with uncontrolled medical conditions e.g. severe musculoskeletal pain, uncontrolled heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension * Metallic implant * History of brain tumor, orthopedic, neurosurgical surgery * Concurrent participation in another clinical trial.

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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

  • Dr Salma Physiotherapy Department Psrd Hospital 042-37423455

    Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

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