StrokeT-STARNCT06842095
Investigating the Effects of Transcranial Stimulation to Advance Stroke Rehabilitation
A study testing Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS) in people with Stroke and Upper Limb Function, run by University of Oxford at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has the potential to boost rehabilitation after stroke by creating a 'pro-plastic' environment, where the brain is more adaptable in response to movement (motor) training. However, responses to classical NIBS protocols are highly variable. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke, Upper Limb Function
- What is being tested?
- Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2025to 28 Feb 2027
- 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
- Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
- Aged 18 years or above.
- Clinical diagnosis of stroke affecting the upper limb, with sufficient ability to perform the upper limb reaching task.
- At least 3 months post-stroke and discharged from inpatient care.
Who cannot join
- Inability to follow task instructions.
- Other neurological condition affecting movement (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis).
- Standard contraindications to non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS, tACS). including (but not limited to) the presence of intracranial metallic or magnetic hardware, seizures, pregnancy, and the presence of a pacemaker or other stimulators/implants.
- Insufficient verbal and written English to comprehend the study and provide informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United Kingdom1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB)
Oxford, OX3 9DU
Stuart Clare, PhD, +44 1865 611451, stuart.clare@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
About this study
Official title: Investigating the Effects of Beta Transcranial Stimulation to Advance Stroke Rehabilitation
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has the potential to boost rehabilitation after stroke by creating a 'pro-plastic' environment, where the brain is more adaptable in response to movement (motor) training. However, responses to classical NIBS protocols are highly variable.
Movement-related changes in specific brain rhythms have previously been shown to be related to recovery of hand/arm function after a stroke. The investigators propose to use NIBS to target movement-related activity in the beta band (13-30Hz) within the motor cortical regions of the brain. The investigators will use a type of NIBS called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), which uses a sinusoidally-varying electrical current where the stimulation frequency is determined to be relevant to the underlying brain rhythms of interest, and the stimulation timed to coincide with specific phases of the hand/arm movement.
The primary aim is to investigate whether beta-tACS improves upper limb movement in stroke survivors.
Read the detailed description
Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. More than 70% of stroke survivors experience motor impairments, often resulting in difficulties in daily activities, such as walking, reaching and grasping objects. Regaining upper-limb motor function is key to quality of life and for reducing the high annual costs due to stroke.
Research indicates that upper-limb motor function recovery depends on the plasticity of neural circuits controlling movement. Beta activity (β, ~13-30 Hz) in the sensorimotor cortex has been associated with brain plasticity and has been proposed to play a pivotal role in human movement and movement disorders. This activity attenuates during movement execution, known as event-related desynchronization (β-ERD), and temporarily increases after the end of movement, known as event-related synchronization (β-ERS).
β-ERD and β-ERS are reliably observed during active and passive movement, movement imagination and movement observation. Changes in movement-related β-ERD and β-ERS have been linked to motor learning, and motor dysfunction in neurological conditions, such as stroke. Studies have shown that stroke survivors with upper limb impairments exhibit significantly lower beta activity compared to healthy individuals, and recovery-related improvements in motor function are accompanied by increases in both sensorimotor β-ERD and β-ERS.
Therefore, modulation of movement-related beta activity (i.e., β-ERD and β-ERS) holds great promise for promoting motor function after stroke. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can be applied during movements to increase plasticity and enhance motor learning and function. However, prior studies have delivered NIBS using a relatively broad approach; modulating general cortical excitability rather than enhancing specific endogenous oscillations in the brain. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a safe and well-tolerated type of NIBS which provides an option for modulating specific frequencies of brain oscillations by delivering a low-intensity sinusoidal electrical current to the brain at a specific frequency.
Therefore, this study will deliver beta-tACS to the ipsilesional motor cortex (M1) aiming to modulate sensorimotor beta activity during upper limb movement in stroke survivors. This study will investigate whether functionally timed beta-tACS has the potential to enhance motor recovery, by assessing whether stimulation delivered at the end of the movement improves upper limb movement (accuracy, smoothness and hand function) and increases the modulation of beta activity. Additionally, the investigators will evaluate whether the effectiveness of the stimulation relates to baseline neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures. Identifying correlates of intervention responsiveness will help future studies to target patients who are most likely to benefit.
- Conditions
- Stroke, Upper Limb Function
- Being tested
- Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS), Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (sham)
- Keywords
- Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, Stroke, Upper Limb, Electroencephalography, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation, Beta Oscillations
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS)Other
Also called Non Invasive Brain Stimulation, beta tACS
The study intervention is transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).
The electrode montage will include one electrode positioned on the scalp over the left or right motor cortex (either C3 or C4 using the international 10-20 EEG system), depending on the location of the stroke, and a second electrode over posterior area (Pz). A low intensity of stimulation (max. 4 mA peak to peak amplitude) will be used for up to 30 minutes in total (delivered in short bouts of up to 5 seconds based on the timing of movement of the upper limb).
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (sham)Other
Also called tACS (sham)
The comparator is sham stimulation. Stimulation is delivered for a very short duration or timed in such a way relative to movement to mimic the scalp sensations of the active stimulation without delivering stimulation that would be anticipated to impact relevant brain activity rhythms.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Stimulation (beta-tACS) | Experimental | Participants will receive one session of active stimulation (beta-tACS) to the ipsilesional hemisphere. The electrode montage will include one electrode positioned on the scalp over the left or right motor cortex (either C3 or C4 using the international 10-20 EEG system), depending on the location of the stroke, and a second electrode over posterior area (Pz). A low intensity of stimulation (max. 4 mA peak to peak amplitude) will be used for up to 30 minutes in total (delivered in short bouts of up to 5 seconds based on the timing of movement of the upper limb). Receives: Other: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS) |
| Sham Stimulation (tACS) | Sham comparator | Participants will receive one session of sham stimulation. The electrode placement will be the same as for the experimental condition, but duration or timing of stimulation will be insufficient to induce intended brain rhythm changes. Receives: Other: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (sham) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Reaching Performance
Performance on the reaching task, assessed using a motion sensor as the error (deviation from the ideal path) in cubic centimeters. Higher numbers indicate worse error/reaching performance.
Measured: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month
Secondary outcomes (2)
Movement-related Brain Rhythms
Movement-related beta activity measured using electroencephalography (EEG), as power in decibels. Higher values indicate stronger (better) movement-related beta activity.
Measured: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month
Hand Function
Change in hand function measured with the Box and Blocks Test from pre-stimulation to post-stimulation. Box and blocks test performance is measured as the number of blocks moved with the affected hand in 1 minute, higher numbers indicate better hand function.
Measured: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Feb 2025
- Study start1 Feb 2025
- Primary completion28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (29)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of OxfordThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Oxford
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Charlotte J Stagg, PhD, Principal investigator, University of OxfordCatharina Zich, PhD, Study director, University of Oxford
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06842095
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PID17878
- Acronym
- T-STAR
- Status last verified
- Jul 2024
- First submitted
- 23 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 7 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Data will be available on reasonable request to the Chief Investigator, Dr Fleming or Dr Zich.
Publications
Wischnewski M, Schutter DJLG, Nitsche MA. Effects of beta-tACS on corticospinal excitability: A meta-analysis. Brain Stimul. 2019 Nov-Dec;12(6):1381-1389. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.07.023. Epub 2019 Jul 28.
PubMed 31405789Toledo DR, Manzano GM, Barela JA, Kohn AF. Cortical correlates of response time slowing in older adults: ERP and ERD/ERS analyses during passive ankle movement. Clin Neurophysiol. 2016 Jan;127(1):655-663. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 May 9.
PubMed 26024982Tang CW, Hsiao FJ, Lee PL, Tsai YA, Hsu YF, Chen WT, Lin YY, Stagg CJ, Lee IH. beta-Oscillations Reflect Recovery of the Paretic Upper Limb in Subacute Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2020 May;34(5):450-462. doi: 10.1177/1545968320913502. Epub 2020 Apr 23.
PubMed 32321366Stancak A Jr, Pfurtscheller G. Desynchronization and recovery of beta rhythms during brisk and slow self-paced finger movements in man. Neurosci Lett. 1995 Aug 18;196(1-2):21-4. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)11827-j.
PubMed 7501247Stagg CJ, Bachtiar V, Johansen-Berg H. The role of GABA in human motor learning. Curr Biol. 2011 Mar 22;21(6):480-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.069. Epub 2011 Mar 3.
PubMed 21376596Rossi S, Antal A, Bestmann S, Bikson M, Brewer C, Brockmoller J, Carpenter LL, Cincotta M, Chen R, Daskalakis JD, Di Lazzaro V, Fox MD, George MS, Gilbert D, Kimiskidis VK, Koch G, Ilmoniemi RJ, Lefaucheur JP, Leocani L, Lisanby SH, Miniussi C, Padberg F, Pascual-Leone A, Paulus W, Peterchev AV, Quartarone A, Rotenberg A, Rothwell J, Rossini PM, Santarnecchi E, Shafi MM, Siebner HR, Ugawa Y, Wassermann EM, Zangen A, Ziemann U, Hallett M; basis of this article began with a Consensus Statement from the IFCN Workshop on "Present, Future of TMS: Safety, Ethical Guidelines", Siena, October 17-20, 2018, updating through April 2020. Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines. Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 Jan;132(1):269-306. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.10.003. Epub 2020 Oct 24.
PubMed 33243615Pogosyan A, Gaynor LD, Eusebio A, Brown P. Boosting cortical activity at Beta-band frequencies slows movement in humans. Curr Biol. 2009 Oct 13;19(19):1637-41. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.07.074. Epub 2009 Oct 1.
PubMed 19800236Pfurtscheller G, Neuper C, Brunner C, da Silva FL. Beta rebound after different types of motor imagery in man. Neurosci Lett. 2005 Apr 22;378(3):156-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.12.034. Epub 2005 Jan 8.
PubMed 15781150Pfurtscheller G, Berghold A. Patterns of cortical activation during planning of voluntary movement. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1989 Mar;72(3):250-8. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(89)90250-2.
PubMed 2465128Peter J, Ferraioli F, Mathew D, George S, Chan C, Alalade T, Salcedo SA, Saed S, Tatti E, Quartarone A, Ghilardi MF. Movement-related beta ERD and ERS abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci. 2022 Nov 23;16:1045715. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1045715. eCollection 2022.
PubMed 36507340Owolabi MO, Thrift AG, Mahal A, Ishida M, Martins S, Johnson WD, Pandian J, Abd-Allah F, Yaria J, Phan HT, Roth G, Gall SL, Beare R, Phan TG, Mikulik R, Akinyemi RO, Norrving B, Brainin M, Feigin VL; Stroke Experts Collaboration Group. Primary stroke prevention worldwide: translating evidence into action. Lancet Public Health. 2022 Jan;7(1):e74-e85. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00230-9. Epub 2021 Oct 29.
PubMed 34756176Neuper C, Wortz M, Pfurtscheller G. ERD/ERS patterns reflecting sensorimotor activation and deactivation. Prog Brain Res. 2006;159:211-22. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(06)59014-4.
PubMed 17071233Muller-Putz GR, Zimmermann D, Graimann B, Nestinger K, Korisek G, Pfurtscheller G. Event-related beta EEG-changes during passive and attempted foot movements in paraplegic patients. Brain Res. 2007 Mar 16;1137(1):84-91. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.12.052. Epub 2006 Dec 22.
PubMed 17229403Mathiowetz V, Volland G, Kashman N, Weber K. Adult norms for the Box and Block Test of manual dexterity. Am J Occup Ther. 1985 Jun;39(6):386-91. doi: 10.5014/ajot.39.6.386.
PubMed 3160243Lyle RC. A performance test for assessment of upper limb function in physical rehabilitation treatment and research. Int J Rehabil Res. 1981;4(4):483-92. doi: 10.1097/00004356-198112000-00001. No abstract available.
PubMed 7333761
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigating the Effects of Beta Transcranial Stimulation to Advance Stroke Rehabilitation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06842095
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- T-STAR / PID17878
- Conditions
- Stroke, Upper Limb Function
- Keywords
- Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, Stroke, Upper Limb, Electroencephalography, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation, Beta Oscillations
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of OxfordUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has the potential to boost rehabilitation after stroke by creating a 'pro-plastic' environment, where the brain is more adaptable in response to movement (motor) training. However, responses to classical NIBS protocols are highly variable.
Movement-related changes in specific brain rhythms have previously been shown to be related to recovery of hand/arm function after a stroke. The investigators propose to use NIBS to target movement-related activity in the beta band (13-30Hz) within the motor cortical regions of the brain. The investigators will use a type of NIBS called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), which uses a sinusoidally-varying electrical current where the stimulation frequency is determined to be relevant to the underlying brain rhythms of interest, and the stimulation timed to coincide with specific phases of the hand/arm movement.
The primary aim is to investigate whether beta-tACS improves upper limb movement in stroke survivors.
Detailed description
Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. More than 70% of stroke survivors experience motor impairments, often resulting in difficulties in daily activities, such as walking, reaching and grasping objects. Regaining upper-limb motor function is key to quality of life and for reducing the high annual costs due to stroke.
Research indicates that upper-limb motor function recovery depends on the plasticity of neural circuits controlling movement. Beta activity (β, ~13-30 Hz) in the sensorimotor cortex has been associated with brain plasticity and has been proposed to play a pivotal role in human movement and movement disorders. This activity attenuates during movement execution, known as event-related desynchronization (β-ERD), and temporarily increases after the end of movement, known as event-related synchronization (β-ERS).
β-ERD and β-ERS are reliably observed during active and passive movement, movement imagination and movement observation. Changes in movement-related β-ERD and β-ERS have been linked to motor learning, and motor dysfunction in neurological conditions, such as stroke. Studies have shown that stroke survivors with upper limb impairments exhibit significantly lower beta activity compared to healthy individuals, and recovery-related improvements in motor function are accompanied by increases in both sensorimotor β-ERD and β-ERS.
Therefore, modulation of movement-related beta activity (i.e., β-ERD and β-ERS) holds great promise for promoting motor function after stroke. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can be applied during movements to increase plasticity and enhance motor learning and function. However, prior studies have delivered NIBS using a relatively broad approach; modulating general cortical excitability rather than enhancing specific endogenous oscillations in the brain. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a safe and well-tolerated type of NIBS which provides an option for modulating specific frequencies of brain oscillations by delivering a low-intensity sinusoidal electrical current to the brain at a specific frequency.
Therefore, this study will deliver beta-tACS to the ipsilesional motor cortex (M1) aiming to modulate sensorimotor beta activity during upper limb movement in stroke survivors. This study will investigate whether functionally timed beta-tACS has the potential to enhance motor recovery, by assessing whether stimulation delivered at the end of the movement improves upper limb movement (accuracy, smoothness and hand function) and increases the modulation of beta activity. Additionally, the investigators will evaluate whether the effectiveness of the stimulation relates to baseline neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures. Identifying correlates of intervention responsiveness will help future studies to target patients who are most likely to benefit.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Stimulation (beta-tACS) | Experimental | Other: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS)Participants will receive one session of active stimulation (beta-tACS) to the ipsilesional hemisphere. The electrode montage will include one electrode positioned on the scalp over the left or right motor cortex (either C3 or C4 using the international 10-20 EEG system), depending on the location of the stroke, and a second electrode over posterior area (Pz). A low intensity of stimulation (max. 4 mA peak to peak amplitude) will be used for up to 30 minutes in total (delivered in short bouts of up to 5 seconds based on the timing of movement of the upper limb). |
| Sham Stimulation (tACS) | Sham comparator | Other: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (sham)Participants will receive one session of sham stimulation. The electrode placement will be the same as for the experimental condition, but duration or timing of stimulation will be insufficient to induce intended brain rhythm changes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
- Aged 18 years or above.
- Clinical diagnosis of stroke affecting the upper limb, with sufficient ability to perform the upper limb reaching task.
- At least 3 months post-stroke and discharged from inpatient care.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Inability to follow task instructions.
- Other neurological condition affecting movement (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis).
- Standard contraindications to non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS, tACS). including (but not limited to) the presence of intracranial metallic or magnetic hardware, seizures, pregnancy, and the presence of a pacemaker or other stimulators/implants.
- Insufficient verbal and written English to comprehend the study and provide informed consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS)Also: Non Invasive Brain Stimulation, beta tACSThe study intervention is transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). The electrode montage will include one electrode positioned on the scalp over the left or right motor cortex (either C3 or C4 using the international 10-20 EEG system), depending on the location of the stroke, and a second electrode over posterior area (Pz). A low intensity of stimulation (max. 4 mA peak to peak amplitude) will be used for up to 30 minutes in total (delivered in short bouts of up to 5 seconds based on the timing of movement of the upper limb). | Other | Active Stimulation (beta-tACS) |
| Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (sham)Also: tACS (sham)The comparator is sham stimulation. Stimulation is delivered for a very short duration or timed in such a way relative to movement to mimic the scalp sensations of the active stimulation without delivering stimulation that would be anticipated to impact relevant brain activity rhythms. | Other | Sham Stimulation (tACS) |
Primary outcome
Reaching Performance
Time frame: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month
Performance on the reaching task, assessed using a motion sensor as the error (deviation from the ideal path) in cubic centimeters. Higher numbers indicate worse error/reaching performance.
2 secondary outcomes
Movement-related Brain Rhythms
Time frame: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month
Hand Function
Time frame: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Mar 2025.
- Background: PubMed 31405789Wischnewski M, Schutter DJLG, Nitsche MA. Effects of beta-tACS on corticospinal excitability: A meta-analysis. Brain Stimul. 2019 Nov-Dec;12(6):1381-1389. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.07.023. Epub 2019 Jul 28.
- Background: PubMed 26024982Toledo DR, Manzano GM, Barela JA, Kohn AF. Cortical correlates of response time slowing in older adults: ERP and ERD/ERS analyses during passive ankle movement. Clin Neurophysiol. 2016 Jan;127(1):655-663. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.05.003. Epub 2015 May 9.
- Background: PubMed 32321366Tang CW, Hsiao FJ, Lee PL, Tsai YA, Hsu YF, Chen WT, Lin YY, Stagg CJ, Lee IH. beta-Oscillations Reflect Recovery of the Paretic Upper Limb in Subacute Stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2020 May;34(5):450-462. doi: 10.1177/1545968320913502. Epub 2020 Apr 23.
- Background: PubMed 7501247Stancak A Jr, Pfurtscheller G. Desynchronization and recovery of beta rhythms during brisk and slow self-paced finger movements in man. Neurosci Lett. 1995 Aug 18;196(1-2):21-4. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)11827-j.
- Background: PubMed 21376596Stagg CJ, Bachtiar V, Johansen-Berg H. The role of GABA in human motor learning. Curr Biol. 2011 Mar 22;21(6):480-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.069. Epub 2011 Mar 3.
- Background: PubMed 33243615Rossi S, Antal A, Bestmann S, Bikson M, Brewer C, Brockmoller J, Carpenter LL, Cincotta M, Chen R, Daskalakis JD, Di Lazzaro V, Fox MD, George MS, Gilbert D, Kimiskidis VK, Koch G, Ilmoniemi RJ, Lefaucheur JP, Leocani L, Lisanby SH, Miniussi C, Padberg F, Pascual-Leone A, Paulus W, Peterchev AV, Quartarone A, Rotenberg A, Rothwell J, Rossini PM, Santarnecchi E, Shafi MM, Siebner HR, Ugawa Y, Wassermann EM, Zangen A, Ziemann U, Hallett M; basis of this article began with a Consensus Statement from the IFCN Workshop on "Present, Future of TMS: Safety, Ethical Guidelines", Siena, October 17-20, 2018, updating through April 2020. Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines. Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 Jan;132(1):269-306. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.10.003. Epub 2020 Oct 24.
- Background: PubMed 19800236Pogosyan A, Gaynor LD, Eusebio A, Brown P. Boosting cortical activity at Beta-band frequencies slows movement in humans. Curr Biol. 2009 Oct 13;19(19):1637-41. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.07.074. Epub 2009 Oct 1.
- Background: PubMed 15781150Pfurtscheller G, Neuper C, Brunner C, da Silva FL. Beta rebound after different types of motor imagery in man. Neurosci Lett. 2005 Apr 22;378(3):156-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.12.034. Epub 2005 Jan 8.
- Background: PubMed 2465128Pfurtscheller G, Berghold A. Patterns of cortical activation during planning of voluntary movement. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1989 Mar;72(3):250-8. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(89)90250-2.
- Background: PubMed 36507340Peter J, Ferraioli F, Mathew D, George S, Chan C, Alalade T, Salcedo SA, Saed S, Tatti E, Quartarone A, Ghilardi MF. Movement-related beta ERD and ERS abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci. 2022 Nov 23;16:1045715. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1045715. eCollection 2022.
- Background: PubMed 34756176Owolabi MO, Thrift AG, Mahal A, Ishida M, Martins S, Johnson WD, Pandian J, Abd-Allah F, Yaria J, Phan HT, Roth G, Gall SL, Beare R, Phan TG, Mikulik R, Akinyemi RO, Norrving B, Brainin M, Feigin VL; Stroke Experts Collaboration Group. Primary stroke prevention worldwide: translating evidence into action. Lancet Public Health. 2022 Jan;7(1):e74-e85. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00230-9. Epub 2021 Oct 29.
- Background: PubMed 17071233Neuper C, Wortz M, Pfurtscheller G. ERD/ERS patterns reflecting sensorimotor activation and deactivation. Prog Brain Res. 2006;159:211-22. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(06)59014-4.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Data will be available on reasonable request to the Chief Investigator, Dr Fleming or Dr Zich.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Charlotte J Stagg, PhD principal investigator
University of Oxford
Catharina Zich, PhD study director
University of Oxford
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (beta-tACS) in people with Stroke and Upper Limb Function, run by University of Oxford at 1 site in United Kingdom.
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 4 inclusion and 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. 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 Melanie Fleming, PhD (+44 1865 611461, melanie.fleming@ndcn.ox.ac.uk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Reaching Performance (time frame: From the first stimulation session to the completion of the third and final session, an average of 1 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06842095, which also lists 29 linked publications.
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 7 Mar 2025.