Could a gentle zap to the nerves help stroke survivors move better?
NCT ID NCT06288217
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a device that gently stimulates nerves in the head and neck to help people who had a stroke move their arm better. Sixteen adults who had a stroke at least six months ago used the device during rehabilitation. The goal was to see if the device is safe and if it can improve arm function.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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30 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * History of unilateral supratentorial ischemic, intracerebral hemorrhagic, subarachnoid hemorrhagic, or a heterogeneous lesion stroke that occurred at least 6 months but not more than 15 years prior to enrollment. * Age \>30 years and \<85 years. * Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Upper Limb (FMA-UE) baseline score of 10 to 56 (inclusive of 10 and 56). * Ability to communicate, understand, and provide appropriate consent. Subjects should be able to follow two-step commands. * Right- or left-sided weakness of the upper extremity. Exclusion Criteria * Participant with any implanted metallic device at or near the stimulation sites (forehead and ears). * Participant with an implanted or active stimulator (ex. Deep brain stimulator, pacemaker, vagus nerve stimulator, defibrillator) * Participant skin in the stimulation area has open wounds, skin eruptions, swollen, infected, or inflamed areas, or skin abnormalities that could be cancerous * Advanced cardiac, pulmonary, liver, kidney dysfunction or blood system disease * Participant has a fever or shows clinical signs concerning for an infectious disease * Other neurologic or musculoskeletal diseases that could interfere with the assessments of this study * Low heart rate (\<60 bpm) from a cardiac conduction block or related etiology * Participant has a history of trigeminal neuralgia * Participant has a history of Bell's Palsy * History of cranial nerve neuropathy (including facial nerve injury), carotid surgery, vagotomy, or other surgical intervention on the vagus nerve * History of recurrent syncopal events * Known or newly-discovered aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation * Patients who have any terminal illness such that the patient would not be expected to survive more than 90 days * Botox injections 12 weeks prior to or during therapy * Participants who have had a craniectomy: * Without replacement of bone flap * With bone flap replaced \< 6 months prior to initiation of study activities
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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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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Virtual reality rehab aims to bring stroke therapy home
- Which balance training works better after stroke? a trial puts two methods to the test
- Could a nerve stimulator restore arm movement after stroke?
- Could a cuff and a tingle restore leg strength after stroke?
- Can gentle electrical pulses reawaken hand movement after stroke?