Spinal zaps may help stroke patients regain leg control
NCT ID NCT06541015
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle electrical current applied to the spine (called tsDCS) can improve reflexes, walking, and balance in people who have leg weakness after a stroke. Researchers will measure changes in movement and adaptation over 15 sessions. The goal is to understand if this non-invasive technique can aid recovery, not to cure the condition.
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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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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2019
- 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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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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.
Post Stroke Cohort: Inclusion Criteria: * History of single unilateral stroke with subsequent lower limb hemiparesis on either side (\> 6 months since onset) * Ability to walk as part of activities of daily living * Age between 18 and 80 Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of concurrent severe medical illness including unhealed pressure sore, active or untreated infection, thromboembolic disease, severe contracture, osteoporosis, heterotropic classification, lower limb fracture, severe pulmonary disease or cardiovascular instability, uncontrolled seizure, uncontrolled diabetes * History of any neurological injury other than a single stroke * Has received a Botox injection in the lower extremity within the last 4 months * Any cognitive deficit that would prevent informed consent or ability to perform the experiment * History of prior injury or surgery to the hip or knee * Presence of significant lower extremity edema - Presence of cardiac pacemaker or any other electrically implanted device - Use of braces limiting harness/Lokomat fit (Any spinal orthoses such as TLSO, HALO) * Weight greater than 300 pounds * Adults unable to consent, infants, children, teenagers, pregnant women and prisoners will not be included in the study * Clinically significant depression, psychiatric disorders, or ongoing drug abuse * Actively taking medications with agents known to increase (e.g. amphetamines) or decrease motor system excitability * Suffered a concussion in the last 6 months. * Unexplained headaches Healthy Cohort: Inclusion Criteria: * No history of stroke, cerebral palsy, injury or surgery to the lower limb. * Currently not taking any central nervous system (CNS) affecting medication. * Ability to walk as part of activities of daily living * Age between 18 and 80 Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of concurrent severe medical illness including unhealed pressure sore, active or untreated infection, thromboembolic disease, severe contracture, osteoporosis, heterotropic classification, lower limb fracture, severe pulmonary disease or cardiovascular instability, uncontrolled seizure, uncontrolled diabetes * History of any neurological injury * Taking any medication affecting change in CNS * Any cognitive deficit that would prevent informed consent or ability to perform the experiment * History of prior injury or surgery to the hip or knee * Presence of significant lower extremity edema - Presence of cardiac pacemaker or any other electrically implanted device - Use of braces limiting harness/Lokomat fit (Any spinal orthoses such as TLSO, HALO) * Weight greater than 300 pounds * Adults unable to consent, infants, children, teenagers, pregnant women and prisoners will not be included in the study * Clinically significant depression, psychiatric disorders, or ongoing drug abuse * Actively taking medications with agents known to increase (e.g. amphetamines) or decrease motor system excitability * Suffered a concussion in the last 6 months. * Unexplained headaches * Has received a Botox injection in the lower extremity within the last 4 months
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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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University of Texas Medical Center
RECRUITINGDallas, Texas, 75390, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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