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Could a gentle zap to the brain restore arm movement after stroke?
NCT ID NCT07151729
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle electrical current applied to the brain (tDCS) can improve arm and hand movement in people who recently had a stroke. Fifty participants with severe arm weakness will receive either real or fake (sham) stimulation during rehab. The goal is to see if this painless, non-invasive technique boosts recovery beyond standard therapy alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-invasive way to help stroke survivors regain arm function during rehabilitation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial (50 people) testing a new stimulation site. The effect may be small or no better than sham, and results may not apply to all stroke patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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21 to 80 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.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: * First ever unilateral ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, as documented by CT or MRI scans * Age 21-80 years, both males and females * Within 8 weeks of stroke onset * Severe weakness of one upper limb, defined by a Shoulder Abduction and Finger Extension (SAFE) score \< 5 (Medical Research Council grading) * Provision of informed consent by patient or a legal guardian in accordance with the local ethics committee guidelines and the Declaration of Helsinki Exclusion Criteria: * Bilateral hemispheric or cerebellar strokes * Pre-existing arm pathology (e.g. contracture, severe pain, etc.) on the affected side * Presence of brain implants, and previous insertion of external ventricular drains. * Metallic implants at the level of the neck, mouth cavity and below are permitted (e.g. Cardiac stents, dental implants, pacemakers and other metallic objects) * A history of spontaneous seizures, epilepsy, brain tumour, and cranial surgery * Severe cognitive impairment (MOCA Score \<10) that would hinder sufficient understanding of the instructions * Pregnancy
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Tan Tock Seng Hospital - Integrated Care Hub
RECRUITINGSingapore, Singapore, 307382, Singapore
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