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Stroke RehabilitationNCT05505201

Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Subacute Stroke Patients With Severe Upper Limb Paresis

A study testing Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in people with Stroke Rehabilitation, run by Izmir Katip Celebi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

There has been A-level evidence for the effectiveness of inhibitory rTMS of the contralesional M1 hand region in stroke patients in the acute stage. However, it has been reported to be ineffective in the chronic stage. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Stroke Rehabilitation
What is being tested?
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
6 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
11 Nov 2022to 28 May 2025
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 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Presence of subcortical ischemic stroke affecting the middle cerebral artery territory, which has been confirmed by imaging methods
  • Having a stroke for the first time
  • Presence of subacute stroke (< 6 months)
  • Mini-mental test score ≥ 24
  • Severe upper limb motor impairment (The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale - Upper Extremity motor impairment score ≤ 19/60, excluding reflex assessments)
  • Lack of motor evoked potential (MEP) recording from the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the paretic extremity with single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation of the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (hand region)

Who cannot join

  • To have a clinical condition (metallic implant, cardiac pace, pregnancy, breastfeeding, claustrophobia, epilepsy, head trauma, cranial operation history) that will constitute a contraindication to transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • History of psychiatric illness such as major depression/personality disorder
  • History of convulsion or epilepsy or taking medication for epilepsy
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Alcohol or drug addiction
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Previously treated with transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • Moderate or mild upper extremity motor impairment (The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale - Upper Extremity score > 19/60, excluding reflex assessments)
  • Presence of neglect

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • İlker Şengül

    Izmir, 35360

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of Add-on Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Over the Contralesional Primary Motor Cortex in Subacute Stroke Patients With Severe Upper Limb Motor Impairment

There has been A-level evidence for the effectiveness of inhibitory rTMS of the contralesional M1 hand region in stroke patients in the acute stage. However, it has been reported to be ineffective in the chronic stage. In addition, it has been reported that the patient group benefiting from rTMS is mostly those with moderate to mild motor impairment. In contrast, a recent randomized controlled study has reported that ipsilesional excitatory rTMS or contra-lesional inhibitory rTMS may also have positive effects in stroke patients with severe upper limb motor impairment. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the contralesional primary motor cortex, by using the rTMS parameters specified in the current recommendation guide, on motor function, activities of daily living, and quality of life in subacute stroke patients with severe upper limb motor impairment.

Read the detailed description

The level of stroke-related upper limb motor impairment varies widely among individuals, from mild to severe. Because of this heterogeneity, rehabilitation interventions are tailored individually. In recent years, many studies have been published on the effectiveness of add-on non-invasive neuromodulation methods such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation in the treatment of stroke-related upper limb motor impairment. There has been A-level evidence for the effectiveness of inhibitory rTMS of the contralesional M1 hand region in stroke patients in the acute stage. However, it has been reported to be ineffective in the chronic stage. In addition, it has been reported that the patient group benefiting from rTMS is mostly those with moderate to mild motor impairment. It has been reported that contra-lesional hemisphere inactivation impairs paretic upper extremity performance in severely infarcted animals. In humans, contra-lesional hemisphere inactivation has been reported to slow down the reaction time. In contrast, a recent randomized controlled study has reported that ipsilesional excitatory rTMS or contralesional inhibitory rTMS may have positive effects in stroke patients with severe upper limb motor impairment. However, the literature on rTMS in post-stroke rehabilitation is highly heterogeneous in terms of frequency, session duration, location, patient characteristics, and outcome scales, and this ambiguity makes it difficult to adapt rTMS to the clinical practice. In this regard, future studies are needed to determine whether rTMS provides an additional benefit to traditional/task-specific rehabilitation approaches in stroke patients with severe upper limb paresis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the contralesional primary motor cortex, by using the rTMS parameters specified in the current recommendation guide, on motor function, activities of daily living, and quality of life in subacute stroke patients with severe upper limb motor impairment.

Being tested
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, Sham Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Keywords
Stroke, Upper limb impairment, Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Medical subject headings
Stroke

What participants receive

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

  • Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationDevice

    Also called Neuro Soft

    Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive intervention that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells to improve the symptoms of a variety of disorders, including stroke-related motor impairment.

  • Sham Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationDevice

    Sham Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Study groups in NCT05505201
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active stimulation groupExperimentalFifteen sessions of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment at 1 Hz frequency will be applied to the contralesional primary motor cortex (hand region). The application will be performed with Neurosoft-Neuro MS / D device. 120% of the resting motor threshold will be used in the stimulation. One session of stimulation will last for a total of 30 minutes and a total of 1800 pulses in the form of 1 Hz stimulation.
Receives: Device: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Sham stimulation groupSham comparatorFifteen sessions of sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment will be applied to the contralesional primary motor cortex (hand region). The application will be performed with Neurosoft-Neuro MS / D device. The probe of the device will be held in an upright position and stimulation will be performed at the 10% of the resting motor threshold.
Receives: Device: Sham Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

What is being measured

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

  1. Change from baseline in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity

    The Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE) is a widely used scale for motor recovery of the upper limb after stroke. FMA-UE comprises four domains (shoulder-arm, wrist, hand, and coordination-speed) developed to measure the severity of motor impairment from synergy to isolated voluntary movement. Scoring is based on direct observation of performance. Each item is scored on a three-point ordinal scale between 0 and 2 (0=cannot perform; 1=partially performs; 2=performs fully) according to performance. The score for an individual range between 0 and 66. The higher the score, the lower the motor impairment.

    Measured: (1) Baseline, (2) At the end of the last session of the intervention (immediately after the 15th session, each session is 1 day), and (3) 4 weeks after the last session of the intervention)

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change from baseline in the Modified Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living

    The Modified Barthel Index assesses the activity of daily living based on performance. It comprises 10 domains, including nutrition, dressing, self-care, toilet use, bladder care, bowel care, transfer, mobility, climbing stairs, and bathing. Scoring is performed over 100 points. The level of independence is determined by the level of the patient's need for physical or verbal help. High scores mean that the level of independence is higher. The patient is allowed to use assistive devices.

    Measured: (1) Baseline, (2) At the end of the last session of the intervention (immediately after the 15th session, each session is 1 day), and (3) 4 weeks after the last session of the intervention)

  2. Change from baseline in the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale

    The stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale assesses the quality of life in stroke patients. It consists of 12 domains and 49 items: mobility, energy, upper extremity function, work/productivity, mood, self-care, social role, family role, vision, language, thinking, and personality. Each item is evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 49 to 245. Higher scores show a better quality of life.

    Measured: (1) Baseline, (2) At the end of the last session of the intervention (immediately after the 15th session, each session is 1 day), and (3) 4 weeks after the last session of the intervention)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted17 Aug 2022
  2. Study start11 Nov 2022
  3. Primary completion28 May 2025
  4. Study completion28 May 2025

Why it stopped: It seems almost impossible to reach the specified sample size.

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
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
6 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05505201
Sponsor's protocol ID
2022-TDU-TIPF-0004
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
11 Aug 2022
Last updated
3 Jun 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Fitzgerald PB, Fountain S, Daskalakis ZJ. A comprehensive review of the effects of rTMS on motor cortical excitability and inhibition. Clin Neurophysiol. 2006 Dec;117(12):2584-96. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2006.06.712. Epub 2006 Aug 4.

    PubMed 16890483
  • Lefaucheur JP, Aleman A, Baeken C, Benninger DH, Brunelin J, Di Lazzaro V, Filipovic SR, Grefkes C, Hasan A, Hummel FC, Jaaskelainen SK, Langguth B, Leocani L, Londero A, Nardone R, Nguyen JP, Nyffeler T, Oliveira-Maia AJ, Oliviero A, Padberg F, Palm U, Paulus W, Poulet E, Quartarone A, Rachid F, Rektorova I, Rossi S, Sahlsten H, Schecklmann M, Szekely D, Ziemann U. Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): An update (2014-2018). Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Feb;131(2):474-528. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.11.002. Epub 2020 Jan 1.

    PubMed 31901449
  • Ko MH, Jeong YC, Seo JH, Kim YH. The after-effect of sub-threshold 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor cortical excitability. J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2006;30:436-40.

  • Avenanti A, Coccia M, Ladavas E, Provinciali L, Ceravolo MG. Low-frequency rTMS promotes use-dependent motor plasticity in chronic stroke: a randomized trial. Neurology. 2012 Jan 24;78(4):256-64. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182436558. Epub 2012 Jan 11.

    PubMed 22238412
  • Khedr EM, Abdel-Fadeil MR, Farghali A, Qaid M. Role of 1 and 3 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function recovery after acute ischaemic stroke. Eur J Neurol. 2009 Dec;16(12):1323-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02746.x. Epub 2009 Sep 23.

    PubMed 19780802
  • Mansur CG, Fregni F, Boggio PS, Riberto M, Gallucci-Neto J, Santos CM, Wagner T, Rigonatti SP, Marcolin MA, Pascual-Leone A. A sham stimulation-controlled trial of rTMS of the unaffected hemisphere in stroke patients. Neurology. 2005 May 24;64(10):1802-4. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000161839.38079.92.

    PubMed 15911819
  • Nowak DA, Grefkes C, Dafotakis M, Eickhoff S, Kust J, Karbe H, Fink GR. Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the contralesional primary motor cortex on movement kinematics and neural activity in subcortical stroke. Arch Neurol. 2008 Jun;65(6):741-7. doi: 10.1001/archneur.65.6.741.

    PubMed 18541794
  • Biernaskie J, Szymanska A, Windle V, Corbett D. Bi-hemispheric contribution to functional motor recovery of the affected forelimb following focal ischemic brain injury in rats. Eur J Neurosci. 2005 Feb;21(4):989-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2005.03899.x.

    PubMed 15787705
  • Johansen-Berg H, Rushworth MF, Bogdanovic MD, Kischka U, Wimalaratna S, Matthews PM. The role of ipsilateral premotor cortex in hand movement after stroke. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Oct 29;99(22):14518-23. doi: 10.1073/pnas.222536799. Epub 2002 Oct 10.

    PubMed 12376621
  • Kim JS, Kim DH, Kim HJ, Jung KJ, Hong J, Kim DY. Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Post-stroke Patients with Severe Upper-Limb Motor Impairment. Brain Neurorehabil. 2019 Oct 24;13(1):e3. doi: 10.12786/bn.2020.13.e3. eCollection 2020 Mar.

    PubMed 36744269
  • Edwards JD, Black SE, Boe S, Boyd L, Chaves A, Chen R, Dukelow S, Fung J, Kirton A, Meltzer J, Moussavi Z, Neva J, Paquette C, Ploughman M, Pooyania S, Rajji TK, Roig M, Tremblay F, Thiel A. Canadian Platform for Trials in Noninvasive Brain Stimulation (CanStim) Consensus Recommendations for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Upper Extremity Motor Stroke Rehabilitation Trials. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2021 Feb;35(2):103-116. doi: 10.1177/1545968320981960.

    PubMed 33410386
  • Woodbury ML, Velozo CA, Richards LG, Duncan PW. Rasch analysis staging methodology to classify upper extremity movement impairment after stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Aug;94(8):1527-33. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.03.007. Epub 2013 Mar 22.

    PubMed 23529144
  • Fugl-Meyer AR, Jaasko L, Leyman I, Olsson S, Steglind S. The post-stroke hemiplegic patient. 1. a method for evaluation of physical performance. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1975;7(1):13-31.

    PubMed 1135616
  • Gladstone DJ, Danells CJ, Black SE. The fugl-meyer assessment of motor recovery after stroke: a critical review of its measurement properties. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2002 Sep;16(3):232-40. doi: 10.1177/154596802401105171.

    PubMed 12234086
  • Bohannon RW, Smith MB. Interrater reliability of a modified Ashworth scale of muscle spasticity. Phys Ther. 1987 Feb;67(2):206-7. doi: 10.1093/ptj/67.2.206.

    PubMed 3809245

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in people with Stroke Rehabilitation, run by Izmir Katip Celebi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 6 inclusion and 9 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: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). 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?

The study was stopped early (reason given: It seems almost impossible to reach the specified sample size.). Results are not available in the source record.

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

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from baseline in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (time frame: (1) Baseline, (2) At the end of the last session of the intervention (immediately after the 15th session, each session is 1 day), and (3) 4 weeks after the last session of the intervention)). 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 NCT05505201, which also lists 20 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 3 Jun 2025.

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