Combined tDCS and Vision Restoration Training in Subacute Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02935413

Enrollment

Registered

2016-10-17

Start date

2013-01-31

Completion date

2013-12-31

Last updated

2016-10-17

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

Conditions

Hemianopia, Stroke

Brief summary

The purpose of this Study is to determine whether non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective in increasing rehabilitation effects after stroke in visual Cortex.

Detailed description

Visual field defects after posterior cerebral artery stroke can be improved by vision restoration training (VRT), but when combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) which alters brain excitability, vision restoration can be potentiated in the chronic stage. Because it is possible that such therapy may be more effective during the early recovery phase after the stroke and can reach patients during the rehabilitation phase, investigators wished to explore the applicability, efficacy and safety of early intervention with a combined tDCS/VRT treatment. Seven post-acute stroke homonymous hemianopia patients were assigned to 10 sessions of combined tDCS (2mA, 10 daily sessions of 15-20 min) and VRT. The primary outcome criterion was the pre-post change in perimetric detection thresholds in percent. The results were compared to 7 age and stroke lesion matched controls of our patient data pool who received standard rehabilitation.

Interventions

DEVICEtDCS

Device: verum tDCS real transcranial direct current stimulation,10 sessions, 2mA for 20 minutes Behavioral: VRT Vision restoration training, 10 sessions, 20 minutes

BEHAVIORALStandard rehabilitation

Standard rehabilitation procedures involving PC-based training of saccades and visual exploration

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Posterior Cerebral Artery Stroke * Visual Field Defect * Lesion age 4 weeks up to 6 month max

Exclusion criteria

* Electrical Implants * Metal artefacts in head * Epilepsy * Visual Neglect

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Change of mean sensitivity (in dB) detection threshold from baseline to post-intervention	14-20 days post treatment,

Countries

Austria, Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 11, 2026