Can zapping the brain while stretching the pelvis help stroke patients walk steadier?
NCT ID NCT07808580
First seen Sep 09, 2026 · Last updated Sep 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Stroke often damages trunk control, balance and walking ability. Researchers are testing whether combining transcranial direct current stimulation, a mild electrical current applied to the scalp, with pelvic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, a hands-on stretching and movement technique, improves these problems more than routine physical therapy alone. The trial enrolls 36 adults in the subacute phase after a first middle cerebral artery stroke. Participants receive either the combined therapy or routine physical therapy, and researchers measure trunk control, balance, walking mobility and leg movement before and after treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation combined with pelvic proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give stroke rehabilitation teams a combined brain-stimulation and hands-on therapy routine that helps patients regain balance and walking independence sooner.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is small and early, so any benefit may be modest or fade, and results in subacute stroke patients may not apply to other stages. tDCS carries a small risk of scalp irritation or seizure in people with a seizure history, who are excluded here.
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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36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2026
- Finished
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Sep 2026
- 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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40 to 65 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: * 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
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Dr Salma Physiotherapy Department Psrd Hospital 042-37423455
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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