Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 80Years
All Genders
ID05085210

Visual Restoration of Losses Caused by Cortical Damage: a New Protocol to Promote Fast Recovery

Led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Updated on 2026-03-04

24

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

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AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating ways to help adults with visual field deficits caused by damage to the primary visual cortex, often due to stroke. This study aims to develop and improve a rehabilitation program using visual training combined with noninvasive brain stimulation to promote recovery of vision in the affected blind areas. The trial involves participants with different types of strokes and will assess improvements in visual abilities using standard visual field tests and motion discrimination tasks. Participants will be assigned to one of several groups receiving different interventions: visual training with transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), sham stimulation with visual training, tRNS alone without training, sham stimulation without training, or visual training using virtual reality combined with tRNS. Treatments involve daily 20 to 30-minute sessions over two weeks, where brain stimulation is delivered via electrodes placed on the scalp over the visual cortex, while participants perform visual motion tasks on a computer or in a VR headset. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments including visual field tests, questionnaires to measure quality of life, and electrophysiological recordings to monitor neural responses. Safety and side effects will be closely monitored daily during sessions, with a licensed physician available for any concerns. The study includes follow-up evaluations up to six months after treatment to measure lasting effects. Participants will be tracked and supported to complete scheduled visits and assessments over the study period.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Improving Visual Field Deficits With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 80Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Presence of some intact visual cortical areas (other than primary visual cortex) in the damaged brain hemisphere confirmed by MRI or CT scan
  • First ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with damage to primary visual cortex causing a portion of visual field blindness
  • Ischemic stroke patients may be subacute (within 6 months) or chronic (more than 6 months)
  • Hemorrhagic stroke patients must be chronic (more than 6 months)
  • Demonstrated clear deficit in simple or complex visual perception in portions of visual field measured by visual perimetry
  • Imaging evidence that stroke primarily affects the visual cortex
  • Willing and able to participate and comply with study procedures
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • No evidence of damage to the primary visual cortex
  • Visual cortex damage caused by a second stroke
  • Total cortical blindness covering both visual fields
  • Inability to fixate visual targets or perform visual training exercises as directed
  • Complete loss of reading ability
  • History of neurological disorders other than stroke, such as epilepsy or multiple sclerosis
  • Poorly controlled migraines or chronic migraine medication use
  • History of seizures, epilepsy diagnosis, abnormal EEG, or close family history of epilepsy (except single benign seizure)
  • History of fainting spells of unknown cause that might be seizures
  • Past or current major psychiatric conditions including major depression or bipolar disorder
  • One-sided attentional neglect as determined by neuropsychological tests
  • Contraindications for receiving tRNS
  • Uncontrolled medical conditions that could cause emergencies during seizures
  • Complex, unstable, or terminal medical illnesses
  • Substance abuse or dependence within the past six months
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Hairstyles or headwear preventing electrode contact (e.g., thick braids, wigs)
  • For VR group: contraindications for VR use such as implanted pacemaker or brain stimulator
  • Investigator's judgment of unsuitability for study participation

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person) for consent and eligibility assessment

Treatment

Duration - 2 weeks (10 consecutive weekdays)

Participants undergo 10 daily sessions of 20 to 30 minutes each of noninvasive brain stimulation (tRNS or sham) with or without visual training using computer or virtual reality tasks to improve visual perception after stroke.

10 daily visits (in-person) for stimulation and/or visual training

Follow-up

Duration - Up to 6 months after treatment

Participants are monitored for changes in visual function and quality of life after treatment, including assessments at 6 months post-training.

At least 1 follow-up visit after treatment completion

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

L

Lorella Battelli, PhD

M

Meghna Uzgare, BS

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

DOUBLE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

FACTORIAL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

5

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