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rTMS Study to Improve Functional Performance for Patients With Stroke

The Potential Benefit of 1-Hz rTMS to Improve Gross Motor Function After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02006875
Enrollment
60
Registered
2013-12-10
Start date
2013-01-31
Completion date
2015-12-31
Last updated
2015-12-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, postural, balance, mobility, leg, stroke

Brief summary

To use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat stroke patients is getting a popular idea. Previous studies seemed to support its effects on facilitating motor recovery after stroke. This study focuses on the motor recovery of lower extremities. Investigators conducted the study to evaluate the treatment effect of rTMS on the functional performance of lower extremities in terms of postural control, balance, and mobility in stroke patients. Investigators hypothesized that these performances could be improved through the better motor control of lower extremities caused by rTMS.

Detailed description

Protocol: 1. Setting: inpatient rehabilitation department of Shuang-Ho Hospital. 2. Study population: Patients received inpatient treatment or rehabilitation for stroke in Shuang-Ho Hospital (SHH). 3. Eligibility. Screening for eligibility was done by the 2 physiatrists from rehabilitation department of SHH. 4. Study design: controlled trial with stratified randomization 5. Blinding 1. The patients were blinded by the real or sham coil of rTMS 2. The assessors who performed the outcome measurements were blinded to the assignment of treatment. 6. Measurements. 1. Baseline demographic records. The stroke severity was measured by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Brunnstrum stage, and Manual muscle test (MMT) before intervention. 2. Clinical assessments. * Postural control was assessed by Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) * The motor recovery of lower extremities was assessed by the lower extremity subscale of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE) * The balance and gait subscales of Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA-b and POMA-g) * Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to assess the gross mobility. * Barthel Index (BI) for the ADL independence * modified Rankin Scale (MRS) for disability classification were also collected. 3. These measurements (including the clinical and corticomotor excitability assessments) are performed by one researcher who are responsible for the measurements. 7. Compliance and side effect. The compliance of interventions were investigated. The attendance of treatments (including rTMS sessions and physical therapy sessions) and possible side effect/discomfort were recorded during the interventions by a researcher. He also tries to understand the reason of drop-out from the study.

Interventions

DEVICErTMS

Interventions started on the next weekday after pretest and were performed once a day for 15 consecutive weekdays. Participants in the E and C groups received rTMS (either real or sham, 1 Hz, 15 minutes), followed by a session of physical therapy for 45 minutes.

Sponsors

Taipei Medical University WanFang Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* unilateral hemiplegia caused by the stroke, * first ever stroke, * time since stroke: 10-90 days, * age: 18-80 y/o, * Functional ambulation classification (FAC): 0-2,

Exclusion criteria

* contraindication to TMS (eg, pacemaker, seizure history, pregnancy), * cranial metal implants * intracranial hemorrhage associated with tumor or arteriovenous malformation, craniotomy * able to complete Timed Up and Go (TUG) test within 2 minutes * unable to walk normally before the stroke * those whose motor evoked potentials (MEP) of M1-UH were absent in the pretest

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Timed Up and Go (TUG)Up to 3 months after interventions completed

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
the lower extremity subscale of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE)up to 3 months after the intervention completed
The balance and gait subscales of Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA-b and POMA-g)up to 3 months after the interventions completed
Barthel Index (BI)Up to 3 months after interventions completed
Postural control was assessed by Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS)up to 3 months after the intervention completedPASS which examines the patient's ability to maintain or change a given posture and is applicable to patients with very poor postural performance. This instrument has been reported to have a good validity and reliability at different recovery stages after stroke, minimal floor and ceiling effect, and be sensitive to changes in severe stroke patients at early stage after stroke.
modified Rankin Scale (MRS)Up to 3 months after interventions completed

Countries

Taiwan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026