Brain-Oscillation-Synchronized Stimulation to Enhance Motor Recovery in Early Subacute Stroke

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the therapeutic effects of EEG-synchronized noninvasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on upper limb motor recovery in patients during the early subacute phase after ischemic stroke. The study aims to determine if synchronizing rTMS with brain oscillations indicating high corticospinal excitability leads to better improvement in motor function compared to non-synchronized or sham stimulation. This investigation is led by the University Hospital Tuebingen and focuses on improving rehabilitation outcomes after stroke. The study involves applying high-frequency rTMS to the affected motor cortex in three different ways: synchronized with brain oscillations indicating high excitability, non-synchronized stimulation, and sham stimulation using a placebo coil. Treatments are given as 400 bursts of 100 Hz triplets over 20 minutes per day, for 5 consecutive workdays, totaling 6,000 pulses at 80% of resting motor threshold. After each session, participants receive 40 minutes of task-specific hand and arm physiotherapy. Participants will undergo motor performance assessments immediately after the last treatment session and again after 3 months. Additional evaluations include grip strength, quality of life, modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, and rehabilitation status, both at screening and at 3 months post-treatment. The study includes EEG monitoring to detect specific brain oscillations and uses a device to synchronize stimulation accordingly. The total participation duration spans from initial screening through follow-up assessments over several months.

Brain-Oscillation-Synchronized Stimulation to Enhance Motor Recovery in Early Subacute Stroke