AzTrials
AzTrials

StrokeNCT03329807

Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Associated to Sensory Therapy for Treatment of Motor Function of Upper Limb of Stroke Patients

A study testing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and conventional sensory therapy in people with Stroke, run by Universidade Federal de Pernambuco at 2 sites in Brazil.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The aim of this research will be to investigate in stroke patients whether upper limb motor function can be maximized in response to sensory stimulation by comparing protocols for the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the cortical region of S1 and Sensory Therapy in the upper limb paretic. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 30 to 75 years
Conditions the study is for
Stroke
What is being tested?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and conventional sensory therapy
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
40 participants
Where
2 sitesBrazil
Study dates
20 Jul 2017to 30 Aug 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 30 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke proven by means of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging,
  • absence of cognitive deficits (evaluated by Mini Mental State Examination, score ≥ 20 - FOLSTEIN 1975);
  • partially preserved motor functions (evaluated by the Fugl-Meyer Scale, score between 14 and 60, due to the necessary movements to be performed during the intervention);
  • partially preserved sensorial (evaluated by the Fugl-Meyer Scale, score between 2 and 10 in the sensorial item , Indicating subjects with sensorial alterations but without extinction of the sensation) (MAKI, QUAGLIATO, CACHO, et al., 2006);
  • patients who, through exposure to electric current by TENS, perceive the electrical stimulation in the palm, back of the hand and ventral forearm will be included.

Who cannot join

  • clinical evidence of multiple brain lesions or other associated neurological diseases;
  • peripheral neuropathies;
  • leprosy;
  • fibromyalgia;
  • rheumatoid arthritis;
  • other upper and lower motor neuron pathologies;
Show all 15Show fewer
  • sensitizing skin diseases;
  • history of psychiatric illnesses including drug and alcohol abuse;
  • traumato-orthopedic deformities installed in upper limbs;
  • those who are performing some rehabilitation treatment during the collection (Physiotherapy and / or Occupational Therapy) will not participate in the research.
  • In addition, for the application of rTMS:
  • patients with intracranial metal implants will be excluded;
  • pregnancy;
  • history of seizures and / or epilepsy;
  • use of medication that interferes with cortical excitability.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Brazil2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • Federal University of Pernambucano

    Recife, Pernambuco, 50740-560

    Katia Monte-Silva, phd, +55(81)21267579, monte.silvakk@gmail.com

    Recruiting
  • Aristela de Freitas Zanona

    Recife

    ARISTELA ZANONA, +5579991215051, arisz_to@yahoo.com.br

    Recruiting

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

The aim of this research will be to investigate in stroke patients whether upper limb motor function can be maximized in response to sensory stimulation by comparing protocols for the application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the cortical region of S1 and Sensory Therapy in the upper limb paretic. Patients will be randomly and randomly allocated into four groups, Group 1 (G1) composed of individuals who will receive the protocol for the application of rTMS in the ipsilateral S1 cortex and fictitious sensory therapy in the paretic upper limb; Group 2 (G2) subjects will receive protocol of Sensory Therapy in the upper limb ethical and application of fictitious rTMS in the ipsilesional S1 cortex; Group 3 (G3): application of the protocol of application of rTMS in the ipsilateral S1 cortex associated with Sensory Therapy in the upper limb paretic and, G4 (GSHAM) control group in which fictitious rTMS will be performed and fictitious Sensory Therapy in the paretic upper limb).

Conditions
Stroke
Being tested
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, conventional sensory therapy
Medical subject headings
Stroke

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Transcranial Magnetic StimulationDevice

    The subjects were seated in a comfortable chair with head and arm rests. Focal TMS of the somatosensory cortex was performed with a 70-mm figure-8 coil attached to magnetic stimulator stimulation parameters : frequency of 10Hz on the injured hemisphere by stroke; 1500 pulses with an intensity of 120% of MT 10 sessions of rTMS, one per day, always before conventional sensory therapy. rTMS it will be applied for about 20 minutes, five days per week.

  • conventional sensory therapyBehavioural

    Behavioral: conventional sensory therapy All patients will receive the same protocol of Sensory Therapy that will consist of the behavioral methods of Active Sensory Reeducation, Mirror Therapy and passive method that will consist in the administration of electric current by TENS (sensitive threshold). Participants will be instructed not to perform active muscular contraction during Interventions. The protocol it will be applied for about 60 minutes, five days per week.

Study groups in NCT03329807
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental rTMS and conventional sensory therapyExperimentalDevice: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) The subjects were seated in a comfortable chair with head and arm rests. Focal TMS of the somatosensory cortex was performed with a 70-mm figure-8 coil attached to magnetic stimulator stimulation parameters : frequency of 10Hz on the injured hemisphere by stroke; 1500 pulses with an intensity of 120% of MT 10 sessions of rTMS, one per day, always before conventional sensory therapy. rTMS it will be applied for about 20 minutes, five days per week. Behavioral: conventional sensory therapy All patients will receive the same protocol of Sensory Therapy that will consist of the behavioral methods of Active Sensory Reeducation, Mirror Therapy and passive method that will consist in the administration of electric current by TENS (sensitive threshold). Participants will be instructed not to perform active muscular contraction during Interventions. The protocol it will be applied for about 60 minutes, five days per week.
Receives: Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Behavioral: conventional sensory therapy
Sham ComparatorSham comparatorcontrol The control group received rTMS sham stimulation (same area as the experimental group) in 10 sessions, 5 days per week, and Sham conventional sensory therapy in the paretic upper limb The sham stimulation will be applied so that it is perceived by the patient as real. Thus during the rTMS sessions the same procedures of the active rTMS sessions will be applied, however the stimulation will be performed with two coils: a coil coupled to the stimulator positioned away from the patient's scalp, yet not visible to the patient so that the patient Perceive only the characteristic sound of the stimulation, and the other coil, disconnected from the stimulator positioned on the volunteer's head. For the SHAM group, all sensory therapy activities will be performed, however only with the non-affected member. Patients will be convinced that a transfer of skills from one member to another can occur through the connections between the hemispheres.
Receives: Behavioral: conventional sensory therapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. change from Fugl-Meyer assessment

    The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) is considered the gold standard for evaluating the motor function recovery. It is designed to assess motor functioning, balance, sensation, and joint functioning. It is applied within clinical and in research contexts to determine the disease severity, describe motor recovery, and plan and assess interventions. In the present study, the 33-item of the UL section was employed. The items are rated on 3-point ordinal scale, as follows: 0= unable to perform; 1= partial ability to perform; and 2= near normal ability to perform. The UL subscale evaluates motor function recovery in six domains: flexor and extensor synergies, non-synergic movements, wrist and hand movements, and coordination and speed

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

  2. change from The Jebsen-Taylor

    The Jebsen-Taylor manual function test will be used to assess motor function . This test consists of seven tasks: writing a sentence, turning cards and small common objects, feeding simulation, stacking chips, moving large light objects and large heavy objects. Each task will be timed by the Timer, the test will be done bilaterally, always starting with the healthy hand. Patient errors will also be recorded in numbers in case of misspelled words, for example; Changes in strategy to turn cards; Dropping small objects, beans, checkers or cans.

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week

  3. change from The Motor Activity Long (MAL)

    The Motor Activity Long (MAL) test, validated and adapted to the Portuguese language, takes into account the patient's "learning to not use" upper limb (MAS) and the functional reacquisition of arm and hand skills in daily activities. The test has two ordinal scales, each with six points for the graduation of activities: one scale relates to quantity and the other to the quality of MSA use. On the quantitative scale, scores range from zero (do not use the MSA) to five (use the MSA the same way you used before the stroke). On the qualitative scale, the score also ranges from zero (the MSA is not used at all for the activity) to five (your ability to use the MSA is as good as it was before the stroke). In this qualitative section the score can have intermediate scores as 0.5 or 1.5.

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

  4. change from The Box and Blocks test (TBB)

    The Box and Blocks test (TBB) is an instrument commonly used in manual dexterity investigations, it can be used in post-stroke patients. At TBB, one hundred and fifty blocks of 2.5-cm wood are arranged in a wooden box in many different orientations. The place in wood has a partition of 15.2 cm of height dividing the space in two. The patient is instructed to carry as many blocks as possible from one space to another. The subject's score is equal to the number of those blocks transported in a partition in one minute. The more blocks transported the better the patient's manual dexterity

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. change from Thermography

    To verify the body symmetry of the upper limbs, Thermography will be used. The symmetry will be checked by comparing the heat emission obtained by the work of muscle contraction on both sides of the body. The procedures that will be adopted to capture images will follow the recommendations of the European Association of Thermology. For the delimitation of the Body Regions of Interest (ICR), anatomical points will be adopted in the anterior and posterior regions of the upper limb

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

  2. change from Upper limb cutaneous sensitivity

    For this variable will be used the Sensory Evaluation of Nottingham and Monofilaments from Semmes-Weinstein. The sensory evaluation scale and Nottingham with the aim of identifying the sensory deficits post-stroke and monitor their recovery. It is an instrument for the evaluation of sensory protopathic and epicritic modalities. This instrument tests all body segments and does not require high-cost materials such as pens, pencils, coins, sponges, flannels, scissors, combs, cups and cups. This demonstrates the simplicity of the test without minimizing its efficiency. For the sensitivity test A set of 6 monofilaments (pocket model - "Sensikit") of nylons number 612, 38 mm in length and different diameters exerting a specific force on the tested area corresponding to the weight variation of 0 , 05 to 300g

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

  3. change from cortical excitability

    cortical excitability via single transcranial magnetic stimulation assess the effects of the intervention (rTMS and conentional sensory therapy) on motor cortex excitability as measured by the change in motor evoked potential (using transcranial magnetic stimulation) before and after each session

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

  4. change from Functional Independence

    The Functional Independence Measure will be used to measure functional independence during daily activities. In the survey, the test will be done through an interview, where each item is scored from 1 to 7 according to the need for patient care. From the obtained score, it becomes possible to classify the level of dependence: complete (18 to 45 points), moderate independence (46 to 99) and complete independence (100 to 126)

    Measured: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Nov 2017
  2. Study start20 Jul 2017
  3. Primary completion1 Sep 2018 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Aug 2019 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
40 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03329807
Sponsor's protocol ID
rTMS_sensory_therapy_stroke
Status last verified
Oct 2017
First submitted
16 Aug 2017
Last updated
6 Nov 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • de Freitas Zanona A, Romeiro da Silva AC, Baltar do Rego Maciel A, Shirahige Gomes do Nascimento L, Bezerra da Silva A, Piscitelli D, Monte-Silva K. Sensory and motor cortical excitability changes induced by rTMS and sensory stimulation in stroke: A randomized clinical trial. Front Neurosci. 2023 Jan 25;16:985754. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.985754. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36760794
  • de Freitas Zanona A, Romeiro da Silva AC, do Rego Maciel AB, Gomes do Nascimento LS, Bezerra da Silva A, Bolognini N, Monte-Silva K. Somatosensory Cortex Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Associative Sensory Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves Could Assist Motor and Sensory Recovery After Stroke. Front Hum Neurosci. 2022 Apr 11;16:860965. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.860965. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 35479184

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and conventional sensory therapy in people with Stroke, run by Universidade Federal de Pernambuco at 2 sites in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Nov 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

change from Fugl-Meyer assessment (time frame: baseline; post-intervention. The re-evaluation will be in the eleventh session on the fourth week.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03329807, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Nov 2017.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in