Modulation of Beta Oscillatory Rhythms in Stroke to Promote Corticomuscular Circuit Function

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The goal of this research study is to examine communication between brain and muscle in individuals with stroke and determine if applying non-invasive brain stimulation to different parts of the brain improves this communication and performance on a hand squeezing task. The investigators will fit participants with an electroencephalography (EEG) cap and place electromyography (EMG) stickers on participants hand and arm muscles to record brain and muscle activity, respectively. Participants will complete a single research visit lasting approximately 3 hours. During this visit, participants will receive two different types of non-invasive brain stimulation: \[1\] stimulation to the motor part of the brain and \[2\] stimulation to the visual part of the brain. Participants will be randomized so that half will receive stimulation to the motor part of the brain first followed by stimulation to the visual part of the brain second and vice versa. Participants will complete three blocks of hand squeezing trials using the stroke-affected (weak) hand. During the first block of squeezing trials, no brain stimulation will occur. During the second and third blocks, participants will receive stimulation just before each hand squeezing trial. The investigators will record participants' brain and muscle activity during these blocks of hand squeezing trials. Additionally, participants will also complete screening tests and exams looking at mood, motor function, and cognition.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 45
Maximum Age: 80
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• One and only one chronic (≥ 6 months) unilateral cortical/subcortical ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke as confirmed by medical records

• Upper extremity weakness (hemiparesis) contralateral to the stroke

• Sufficient cognitive capacity (Montreal Cognitive Assessment ≥ 26 points), communication function, and English proficiency to understand and safely comply with all study procedures

• Ipsilesional motor-evoked potential response

• Able to perform isometric grip task by making a fist with their stroke-affected hand (hand contralateral to the stroke)

Locations
United States
North Carolina
Bondurant Hall
RECRUITING
Chapel Hill
Contact Information
Primary
Jessica M Cassidy, DPT, PT, PhD
CassidyLab@unc.edu
919-966-8404
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-12
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-01
Participants
Target number of participants: 20
Treatments
Experimental: Motor then Visual Brain Stimulation
Following the first block of 20 grip/squeeze trials completed without brain stimulation, participants will complete a second and third set of blocks where non-invasive brain stimulation just before each grip trial will occur. Participants randomized to the motor then visual brain stimulation arm will receive stimulation to the motor part of their brain first followed by non-invasive brain stimulation to the visual (occipital) part of the brain. A 10-15 min participant break will separate the delivery of motor and visual brain stimulation (i.e., second and third blocks).
Experimental: Visual then Motor Brain Stimulation
Following the first block of 20 grip/squeeze trials completed without brain stimulation, participants will complete a second and third set of blocks where non-invasive brain stimulation just before each grip trial will occur. Participants randomized to the visual then motor brain stimulation arm will receive stimulation to the visual part of their brain first followed by non-invasive brain stimulation to the motor part of the brain. A 10-15 min participant break will separate the delivery of visual and motor brain stimulation (i.e., second and third blocks).
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Collaborators: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov