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StrokeENADANCT07202455

Effect of Early Neuromodulation Coupled With Rehabilitation on the Prevention of Post-stroke Pain

A study testing Active tDCS in people with Stroke and Neuropathic Pain, run by University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand at 2 sites in France.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This is a prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS stimulation, coupled with conventional rehabilitation, on the development of post-stroke neuropathic pain. The study involves a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled experimental protocol involving 2 parallel groups with patients allocated… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Stroke, Neuropathic Pain, Central Post Stroke Pain
What is being tested?
Active tDCS
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
2 sitesFrance
Study dates
1 Jan 2026to 30 Apr 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age ≥18 years
  • Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by MRI or scanner
  • Lesion(s) in somato-sensory areas (i.e. mainly in: the pons, thalamus, internal capsule, basal ganglia and operculo-insular regions)
  • Sensory and/or motor deficit requiring rehabilitation
  • Subacute stage (7 to 45 days post-stroke)
  • No neurological deficit or chronic neuropathic pain prior to stroke
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  • No neuropathic pain at inclusion
  • Patient can be followed throughout the study.
  • Information letter read and understood
  • Able to give informed consent to participate in research
  • Affiliation with a social security scheme

Who cannot join

  • Contraindication to tDCS (epilepsy/history of epilepsy, intracranial ferromagnetic material or implanted stimulator, acute eczema or irritated skin over the stimulation area)
  • Contraindication to MRI (use of a pacemaker or insulin pump, wearing of a metal prosthesis, intracerebral clip or piercing, claustrophobia)
  • Cognitive or language difficulties preventing comprehension of instructions and/or correct clinical assessment
  • Patients participating in another research protocol involving a drug in the 30 days prior to inclusion
  • Drug or psychoactive substance abuse
  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women
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  • Patients under guardianship or curatorship, deprived of liberty, safeguard of justice
  • Major depression
  • Patients with Parkinson's disease
  • The presence of pre-existing lesions >1.5 cm (maximum diameter) in a cerebral area belonging to the anatomically defined sensorimotor system
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia)
  • Any tumor disease with a life expectancy of <1 year
  • Increased intracranial pressure
  • Patients with a medical device containing electronics or conductive materials
  • Patients on continuous oxygen (system not adapted)

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

France2 sites
  • CHU Clemront-Ferrand

    Clermont-Ferrand

    Lise Laclautre, 04 73 75 11 95, promo_interne_drci@chu-clermontferrand.fr

    Xavier Moisset

  • CH Etienne Clémentel

    Enval, 63530

    Lise Laclautre, +33 4 73 75 11 95, promo_interne_drci@chu-clermontferrand.fr

Other trials in France

About this study

This is a prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS stimulation, coupled with conventional rehabilitation, on the development of post-stroke neuropathic pain.

The study involves a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled experimental protocol involving 2 parallel groups with patients allocated according to a Fleming design (40 patients in the active group, 20 patients in the control group).

The study is aimed at sub-acute post-stroke patients. After recruitment, they will receive 10 sessions of tDCS stimulation (2mA, 20 minutes with a current on/off ramp of 0.1 mA/s). For the control group, stimulation will stop after the current ramp.

Read the detailed description

Selection: during hospitalization in the neurology department of Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, the principal investigator will propose that eligible patients take part in the ENADA study. If the patient agrees, an inclusion visit (E1) will be scheduled by the inclusion center. All these patients will have had an MRI recording as part of routine post-stroke practice.

Inclusion (E1 visit): A new background check and inclusion/non-inclusion criteria will be carried out. Once the patient has signed the study consent form, he or she will complete the self-questionnaires (VAS pain intensity, VAS pain affectivity, DN4, NPSI, BPI, HAD, diagram showing hypoesthetic areas, EQ-5D). The evaluation will also include FMA-UE test, the modified Ashworth scale and sensory thresholds.

Randomization: Patients will be randomized to the active or placebo group.

Protocol: 10 stimulation sessions, spread over a maximum of 21 consecutive working days.

Active and sham tDCS sessions are identical, double-blind. Stimulation by tDCS takes place during a physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy session. After installation, stimulation lasts 20 minutes. Stimulation is delivered at an intensity of 2 mA, with a ramp for the onset and disappearance of the current. Sham stimulation stops after the onset ramp, ensuring blindness for the patient, who may feel a slight tingling sensation during this phase. Patients will complete a pain intensity VAS and an affective pain VAS before and after each tDCS stimulation.

Post-protocol visit (visit E2): this visit is scheduled 7 days after the 10th and last stimulation session. It is carried out by the principal investigator at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital.

An MRI recording is scheduled for this visit. Patients will fill in follow-up self-questionnaires (pain intensity VAS, affective pain VAS, DN4, NPSI, BPI, HAD, diagram showing hypoesthetic areas, EQ-5D), as well as their overall impression of change (PGIC score) and their impression of change on motor and sensory aspects. The evaluation will also include FMA-UE test and the modified Ashworth scale. The quality of blinding will be assessed at visit E2 by asking the patient's impression of the treatment he or she has received and of the presumed allocation (Bang blinding index).

End-of-study visit (E3 visit): this visit is scheduled at 6 months post-stroke. It is conducted by the principal investigator at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital.

The same assessments are carried out as at the previous visit, as well as the evaluation of sensory thresholds. In addition, the presence of neuropathic pain (yes/no), the primary endpoint, was assessed after clinical and instrumental evaluation. The presence of non-neuropathic pain (yes/no) is also assessed.

Being tested
Active tDCS, Sham tDCS
Keywords
neuropathic pain, prevention, stroke, central post stroke pain, neuromodulation, tDCS
Medical subject headings
Stroke, Neuralgia

What participants receive

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

  • Active tDCSDevice

    Patients will receive 10 sessions of tDCS stimulation (2mA, 20 minutes with a current on/off ramp of 0.1 mA/s) delivered with a Sooma DUO stimulator. Sooma DUO is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device. The device generates a current that modulates brain activity. This current is delivered via electrodes attached to the patient's head.

  • Sham tDCSDevice

    Patients will receive 10 sessions of sham tDCS stimulation (2mA, 20 minutes, 0.1mA/s ramp-up, stimulation stopped after the current ramp), delivered with a Sooma DUO stimulator. Sooma DUO is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device. The device generates a current that modulates brain activity. This current is delivered via electrodes attached to the patient's head.

Study groups in NCT07202455
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active groupActive comparatorPatients will receive 10 sessions of active tDCS stimulation (2mA, 20 minutes, 0.1mA/s ramp-up and ramp-down), in addition to conventional rehabilitation.
Receives: Device: Active tDCS
Control groupSham comparatorPatients will receive 10 sessions of sham tDCS stimulation (2mA, 20 minutes, 0.1mA/s ramp-up, stimulation stopped after the current ramp), in addition to conventional rehabilitation.
Receives: Device: Sham tDCS

What is being measured

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

  1. Development of neuropathic pain

    The primary endpoint is the development (yes/no) of probable or definite neuropathic pain according to IASP criteria, after clinical and instrumental assessment, at 6 months post-stroke.

    The presence of definite neuropathic pain will be recorded in the presence of negative sensory signs, i.e. partial or complete loss of one or more sensory modalities (e.g. light touch, cold temperature, etc.) concordant with the lesion of the somatosensory nervous system (in this case stroke, the presence of which will have been confirmed by MRI).

    Measured: At 6 months post-stroke

Secondary outcomes (14)
  1. Development of non-neuropathic pain

    shoulder or other joint pain, spasticity-related pain, etc.

    Measured: At 6 months post-stroke

  2. Pain intensity

    Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain imaginable)

    Measured: Before the protocol, within 15 minutes before and after each tDCS session, after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  3. Affective pain experience

    Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (no affective impact of pain) to 100 (worst affective impact of pain)

    Measured: Before the protocol, within 15 minutes before and after each tDCS session, after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  4. Presence of neuropathic pain

    Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  5. Evaluation of neuropathic pain

    Questionnaire d'évaluation des douleurs neuropathiques (NPSI)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  6. Pain assessment

    Questionnaire concis sur les douleurs (BPI)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  7. Motor function

    Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Upper extremity (FMA-UE) test, ranging from 0 (worst motor function) to 66 (correct motor function)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  8. Spasticity

    Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), ranging from 0 (no increase in muscle tone) to 4 (affectied part rigid in flexion or extension)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  9. Anxiety and depression

    Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 21 (most severe symptoms)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  10. Quality of life EQ-5D

    EQ-5D scale, each item coded from 1 (no problem) to 3 (extreme problem)

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  11. Patient's impression of change

    Patient's global impression of change, impression of change in motor and sensory aspects, ranging from 1 (very significantly improved) to 7 (very significantly worsened)

    Measured: After the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  12. Perceptual and pain hot and cold thresholds

    Thermal thresholds evaluated with a Thermotest, in the area with the most pronounced sensory symptoms and the contralateral similar area

    Measured: Before the protocol and at six months post-stroke

  13. Bang Blinding Index

    Patient's impression of being in the active or control group, each patient report his/her impression (active group/control group/don't know) and proportions are compared between the active and control group

    Measured: After the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

  14. Brain activity

    resting-state fMRI

    Measured: Before and after the protocol (within 7 days after the 10th and final tDCS session) and at six months post-stroke

Timeline

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

  1. First posted1 Oct 2025
  2. Study start1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Apr 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Apr 2029 (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
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Fleming plan (40 patients in the active group, 20 in the control group)
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07202455
Sponsor's protocol ID
RBHP 2025 MOISSET 2
Other IDs
2025-A00988-41
Acronym
ENADA
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
16 Sep 2025
Last updated
23 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Active tDCS in people with Stroke and Neuropathic Pain, run by University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand at 2 sites in France.

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 11 inclusion and 16 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Dec 2025. 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 France. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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

Contact Lise Laclautre (334.73.754.963, promo_interne_drci@chu-clermontferrand.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Development of neuropathic pain (time frame: At 6 months post-stroke). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 23 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.

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