Effects of tDCS on Quadriceps Strength After Stroke

a Controlled, Randomized Study Evaluating the Immediate Effect of One tDCS Session on Quadriceps Strength in Hemiparetic Patients.

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02109796

Acronym

tDCS(HE)

Enrollment

Registered

2014-04-10

Start date

2015-02-19

Completion date

2017-04-30

Last updated

2017-11-14

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

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

tDCS, Stroke, Force, Spasticity, Gait, EMG, Isokinetic

Brief summary

Previous studies show that one session of tDCS allow to improve muscle strength in hemiparetic patients in anodal condition. We test a new electrods configuration : a anodale stimulation opposite to the cortical representation area of the injured hemisphere and a simultaneous stimulation opposite to the homonyme the cortical representation area of the healthy hemisphere. This approach seems to be the best relevant electrods configuration in order to restore the inter-hemispheric balance. We hypothesis that one session of tDCS with this electrods configuration allow to improve paretic quadriceps strength in hemiparetic patients after stroke.

Interventions

DEVICEtranscranial Direct current stimulation

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* written consent * hemiparetic patient after stroke in chronic phase (\> 6 months) * capacity to walk with or without technical assistance * following rehabilitation program for lower limbs

Exclusion criteria

* patient with bilateral brain lesion, cerebellar syndrom, and apraxia and/or aphasia * previous orthopedic surgery in paretic lower limb (\<6 moths) * usual tDCS contraindications * pregnant woman

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
maximum voluntary isometric strength of knee extensors	2 hours	The maximum voluntary isometric strength of paretic knee extensors will be evaluated with a isokinetic dynamometer, which measure peak torque.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Resistive peak torque during passive knee flexion	2h
Angle related to the resistive peak torque generation of the knee extensors	2h
Amplitude of the interpolation twitch	2h
EMG activation of the knee flexors and extensors during the strength evaluations (active and passive)	2h
Functional evaluation of the gait performance and balance	2h

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

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