Stroke(CIMT - tDCS)NCT07619703
Effects of a Neurorehabilitation Program Based on CIMT and Non-invasive Neuromodulation Through C-tDCS on the Recovery of Paretic Upper Limb Function, Quality of Life, and Therapeutic Alliance in Women From the Araucanía Region Who Suffered a Stroke (CIMT + tDCS).
A study testing tDCS in people with Stroke, run by Universidad de La Frontera at 1 site in Chile.
Trial summary
General Objective To determine the effects of a neurorehabilitation program based on Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and non-invasive neuromodulation through cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (C-tDCS) on the recovery of paretic upper limb function, quality of life, and therapeutic alliance… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 30 to 85 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke
- What is being tested?
- tDCS
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChile
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- 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 30 to 85 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Women aged between 30 and 80 years.
- Who present hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke confirmed by CT with evolution greater than 1 month, corroborated by discharge epicrisis supporting the diagnosis of the patient.
- Who presents trunk control in sitting.
- Score greater than 14 points on the Minimental Examination scale.
- Function of the upper extremity, referring to taking and releasing a small ball with the affected hand and signing or accepting the consent written informed.
Who cannot join
- Shoulder pain greater than 4 according to the VAS scale and spasticity greater than 2 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale.
- Sensory compromise (visual-auditory).
- Presence of severe aphasia.
- Cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, brain electrodes and cardiac pacemaker.
- Epilepsy or psychiatric disorders (diagnosed in the last 3 months).
- Pregnancy, use of psychotropic medications.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Chile1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Temuco, Araucania, 4780000
Arlette Doussoulin, Phd Human Motricity, 997445912, arlette.doussoulin@ufrontera.cl
Ornella Bahamondes, Msc
About this study
Official title: Effects of a Neurorehabilitation Program Based on Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Non-invasive Neuromodulation Through Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (C-tDCS) on the Recovery of Paretic Upper Limb Function, Quality of Life, and Therapeutic Alliance in Women From the Araucanía Region Who Suffered a Stroke.
General Objective To determine the effects of a neurorehabilitation program based on Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and non-invasive neuromodulation through cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (C-tDCS) on the recovery of paretic upper limb function, quality of life, and therapeutic alliance in women from the Araucanía Region who suffered a stroke. Methodology An experimental design consisting of a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial is proposed. The study will include two independent groups of women diagnosed with stroke, who will participate in five assessment time points (pre-treatment, intermediate, post-treatment, and two follow-ups). Motor function (Motor Activity Log-30 and ARAT), quality of life (ECVI-38), and therapeutic alliance (CAF-P) will be evaluated. The intervention includes 10 sessions (120 minutes each), delivered daily over a two-week period. The experimental group (EG) will receive CIMT combined with C-tDCS, while the control group (CG) will receive CIMT plus sham C-tDCS (using the standard safety sham protocol commonly known as "FISSFO" [Fade In of Stimulation, Brief Real Stimulation, Fade Out]). In both groups, C-tDCS will be applied during the first 20 minutes of the session simultaneously with the practice of specific upper-limb motor tasks, followed by 100 minutes of CIMT. The CG will receive the same intervention but with sham stimulation, applying current for one minute to generate the initial sensation without producing a physiological effect. Sessions will be conducted in mixed subgroups (two participants from the EG and two from the CG) sharing the same therapeutic space. A proposed sample size of N = 26 (13 patients per group) was calculated considering a statistical power of 80%, assuming a medium effect size of f = 0.25, an error probability α = 0.05, a power (1 - error probability β) = 0.95, and correlations among repeated measures = 0.50. An additional 10% was included to compensate for potential losses during follow-up. Simple random allocation of the sample will be performed using SPSS Statistics 27. Proposed Analysis Plan SPSS Statistics 27 software will be used. Initially, descriptive statistics will be employed to analyze the sample according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Subsequently, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient will be calculated to examine the internal consistency of the motor function and quality-of-life variables, both within and between groups and across evaluation time points. The effects of the intervention will be assessed using unifactorial intragroup and intergroup analyses of covariance (ANCOVA). In each ANCOVA, treatment will be considered the independent variable, each motor function and quality-of-life score will be considered the dependent variable, and control variables will be included as covariates. All results with p-values less than or equal to 0.05 in one-tailed tests will be considered statistically significant. Expected Results It is expected that the combination of CIMT and C-tDCS will significantly enhance motor recovery in post-stroke women. The intervention may improve upper-limb function recovery, promote better quality of life, and optimize the therapeutic alliance, resulting in greater participation in daily activities. By modulating cerebellar activity, C-tDCS may facilitate neuronal plasticity and accelerate the response to intensive training. If confirmed, the study will provide evidence for a safe, accessible, and effective neurorehabilitation strategy, opening future low-cost avenues for current rehabilitation practices.
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
tDCSOther
Also called CIMT
Intervention: The protocol will be carried out in a total of 10 sessions, with a daily frequency over a period of 2 weeks.
Experimental group: The c-tDCS will be applied for the first 20 minutes, along with the performance of the first motor tasks associated with CIMTm. To do this, a direct current of between 1.5 to 2 mA will be used in the right cerebellar hemisphere. The CIMTm will be implemented with a duration of 120 minutes and consists of 3 components: repetitive task training, use of a glove on the healthy hand and behavioral transfer package.
Control group: The electrodes will be located in the same position of the EG, but simulated stimulation (sham) will be used, which will consist of the application of an initial current that will be maintained for one minute with a 30-second ramp until reaching 1.5 mA and a 30-second descending ramp, after which the device will turn off (program available on the equipment). The CIMTm session is the same as the experimental group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| CIMTm y ctDCS | Experimental | c-tDCS will be applied during the first 20 minutes of the session simultaneously with the practice of motor tasks of specific movements aimed at the upper extremity, continuing the session with 100 minutes of CIMTm. Receives: Other: tDCS |
| CIMTm y ctDCS sham | Sham comparator | c-tDCS (sham) will be used, which will consist of the application of an initial current that will be maintained for one minute with a 30-second ramp until reaching 1.5 mA and a 30-second descending ramp, after which the device will turn off (program available on the device). Receives: Other: tDCS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Effects of CIMTm combined with c-tDCS on paretic upper extremity function in women with stroke.
Evaluated through the Action Research Arm Test (pre- and post-treatment): scale that evaluates both arms in order to obtain a total description of the function of the upper extremity, after a cortical injury. It is made up of 19 items grouped into 4 subtests: grip, grasp, clamp, gross movement. All items are evaluated on a 4-point scale from 0 (no movement) to 3 (normal movement). This measure has been widely validated in Spanish-American speaking countries, thereby obtaining its degree of reliability and instrumental validity. The reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha obtained in the studies was 0.96, indicating high internal consistency.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks.
Effects of CIMTm combined with c-tDCS on paretic upper extremity function in women with stroke.
Evaluated through the Action Research Arm Test (pre-postreatment), a scale that evaluates both arms in order to obtain a total description of the function of the upper extremity, after a cortical injury. It is made up of 19 items grouped into 4 subtests: grip, grasp, clamp, gross movement. All items are evaluated on a 4-point scale from 0 (no movement) to 3 (normal movement). This measure has been widely validated in Spanish-American speaking countries, thereby obtaining its degree of reliability and instrumental validity. The reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha obtained in the studies was 0.96, indicating high internal consistency.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The intervention considers 10 sessions (duration of 120 minutes), with a daily frequency for 2 weeks. The experimental group (EG) will be exposed to CIMT combined with c-tDCS and the control group (CG) will receive CIMT + c-tDCS placebo (or sham modality using the standard safety protocol, commonly known as "FISSFO" (Fade In of Stimulation, Brief Real Stimulation, Fade Out)). In both groups, the c-tDCS will be applied during the first 20 minutes of the session simultaneously with the practice of motor tasks of specific movements aimed at the upper extremity, continuing the session with 100 minutes of CIMT. The CG will receive the same intervention, but with simulated stimulation (sham), applying current for one minute to generate the initial sensation without physiological effect. The sessions will be held in mixed subgroups (two participants per EG and two per CG) sharing the same therapeutic space.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad de La Frontera
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, ARLETTE PATRICIA DOUSSOULIN SANHUEZA, Universidad de La Frontera
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07619703
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Universidad de La Frontera
- Other IDs
- CIMT + ctDCS, CIMTm + ctDCS
- Acronym
- (CIMT - tDCS)
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 26 May 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of a Neurorehabilitation Program Based on Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Non-invasive Neuromodulation Through Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (C-tDCS) on the Recovery of Paretic Upper Limb Function, Quality of Life, and Therapeutic Alliance in Women From the Araucanía Region Who Suffered a Stroke.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07619703
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- (CIMT - tDCS) / Universidad de La Frontera
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Keywords
- upper limb, Stroke, CIMT, tDCS
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad de La FronteraUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jun 2026 (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.
General Objective To determine the effects of a neurorehabilitation program based on Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and non-invasive neuromodulation through cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (C-tDCS) on the recovery of paretic upper limb function, quality of life, and therapeutic alliance in women from the Araucanía Region who suffered a stroke. Methodology An experimental design consisting of a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial is proposed. The study will include two independent groups of women diagnosed with stroke, who will participate in five assessment time points (pre-treatment, intermediate, post-treatment, and two follow-ups). Motor function (Motor Activity Log-30 and ARAT), quality of life (ECVI-38), and therapeutic alliance (CAF-P) will be evaluated. The intervention includes 10 sessions (120 minutes each), delivered daily over a two-week period. The experimental group (EG) will receive CIMT combined with C-tDCS, while the control group (CG) will receive CIMT plus sham C-tDCS (using the standard safety sham protocol commonly known as "FISSFO" [Fade In of Stimulation, Brief Real Stimulation, Fade Out]). In both groups, C-tDCS will be applied during the first 20 minutes of the session simultaneously with the practice of specific upper-limb motor tasks, followed by 100 minutes of CIMT. The CG will receive the same intervention but with sham stimulation, applying current for one minute to generate the initial sensation without producing a physiological effect. Sessions will be conducted in mixed subgroups (two participants from the EG and two from the CG) sharing the same therapeutic space. A proposed sample size of N = 26 (13 patients per group) was calculated considering a statistical power of 80%, assuming a medium effect size of f = 0.25, an error probability α = 0.05, a power (1 - error probability β) = 0.95, and correlations among repeated measures = 0.50. An additional 10% was included to compensate for potential losses during follow-up. Simple random allocation of the sample will be performed using SPSS Statistics 27. Proposed Analysis Plan SPSS Statistics 27 software will be used. Initially, descriptive statistics will be employed to analyze the sample according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Subsequently, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient will be calculated to examine the internal consistency of the motor function and quality-of-life variables, both within and between groups and across evaluation time points. The effects of the intervention will be assessed using unifactorial intragroup and intergroup analyses of covariance (ANCOVA). In each ANCOVA, treatment will be considered the independent variable, each motor function and quality-of-life score will be considered the dependent variable, and control variables will be included as covariates. All results with p-values less than or equal to 0.05 in one-tailed tests will be considered statistically significant. Expected Results It is expected that the combination of CIMT and C-tDCS will significantly enhance motor recovery in post-stroke women. The intervention may improve upper-limb function recovery, promote better quality of life, and optimize the therapeutic alliance, resulting in greater participation in daily activities. By modulating cerebellar activity, C-tDCS may facilitate neuronal plasticity and accelerate the response to intensive training. If confirmed, the study will provide evidence for a safe, accessible, and effective neurorehabilitation strategy, opening future low-cost avenues for current rehabilitation practices.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The intervention considers 10 sessions (duration of 120 minutes), with a daily frequency for 2 weeks. The experimental group (EG) will be exposed to CIMT combined with c-tDCS and the control group (CG) will receive CIMT + c-tDCS placebo (or sham modality using the standard safety protocol, commonly known as "FISSFO" (Fade In of Stimulation, Brief Real Stimulation, Fade Out)). In both groups, the c-tDCS will be applied during the first 20 minutes of the session simultaneously with the practice of motor tasks of specific movements aimed at the upper extremity, continuing the session with 100 minutes of CIMT. The CG will receive the same intervention, but with simulated stimulation (sham), applying current for one minute to generate the initial sensation without physiological effect. The sessions will be held in mixed subgroups (two participants per EG and two per CG) sharing the same therapeutic space.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| CIMTm y ctDCS | Experimental | Other: tDCSc-tDCS will be applied during the first 20 minutes of the session simultaneously with the practice of motor tasks of specific movements aimed at the upper extremity, continuing the session with 100 minutes of CIMTm. |
| CIMTm y ctDCS sham | Sham comparator | Other: tDCSc-tDCS (sham) will be used, which will consist of the application of an initial current that will be maintained for one minute with a 30-second ramp until reaching 1.5 mA and a 30-second descending ramp, after which the device will turn off (program available on the device). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 30 to 85 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Women aged between 30 and 80 years.
- Who present hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke confirmed by CT with evolution greater than 1 month, corroborated by discharge epicrisis supporting the diagnosis of the patient.
- Who presents trunk control in sitting.
- Score greater than 14 points on the Minimental Examination scale.
- Function of the upper extremity, referring to taking and releasing a small ball with the affected hand and signing or accepting the consent written informed.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Shoulder pain greater than 4 according to the VAS scale and spasticity greater than 2 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale.
- Sensory compromise (visual-auditory).
- Presence of severe aphasia.
- Cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, brain electrodes and cardiac pacemaker.
- Epilepsy or psychiatric disorders (diagnosed in the last 3 months).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| tDCSAlso: CIMTIntervention: The protocol will be carried out in a total of 10 sessions, with a daily frequency over a period of 2 weeks. Experimental group: The c-tDCS will be applied for the first 20 minutes, along with the performance of the first motor tasks associated with CIMTm. To do this, a direct current of between 1.5 to 2 mA will be used in the right cerebellar hemisphere. The CIMTm will be implemented with a duration of 120 minutes and consists of 3 components: repetitive task training, use of a glove on the healthy hand and behavioral transfer package. Control group: The electrodes will be located in the same position of the EG, but simulated stimulation (sham) will be used, which will consist of the application of an initial current that will be maintained for one minute with a 30-second ramp until reaching 1.5 mA and a 30-second descending ramp, after which the device will turn off (program available on the equipment). The CIMTm session is the same as the experimental group. | Other | CIMTm y ctDCS, CIMTm y ctDCS sham |
Primary outcome
Effects of CIMTm combined with c-tDCS on paretic upper extremity function in women with stroke.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks.
Evaluated through the Action Research Arm Test (pre- and post-treatment): scale that evaluates both arms in order to obtain a total description of the function of the upper extremity, after a cortical injury. It is made up of 19 items grouped into 4 subtests: grip, grasp, clamp, gross movement. All items are evaluated on a 4-point scale from 0 (no movement) to 3 (normal movement). This measure has been widely validated in Spanish-American speaking countries, thereby obtaining its degree of reliability and instrumental validity. The reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha obtained in the studies was 0.96, indicating high internal consistency.
Effects of CIMTm combined with c-tDCS on paretic upper extremity function in women with stroke.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks.
Evaluated through the Action Research Arm Test (pre-postreatment), a scale that evaluates both arms in order to obtain a total description of the function of the upper extremity, after a cortical injury. It is made up of 19 items grouped into 4 subtests: grip, grasp, clamp, gross movement. All items are evaluated on a 4-point scale from 0 (no movement) to 3 (normal movement). This measure has been widely validated in Spanish-American speaking countries, thereby obtaining its degree of reliability and instrumental validity. The reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha obtained in the studies was 0.96, indicating high internal consistency.
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 3 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing tDCS in people with Stroke, run by Universidad de La Frontera at 1 site in Chile.
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 5 inclusion and 6 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 3 Jun 2026. 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 Chile. 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 Arlette Doussoulin, PhD (+56997445912, arlette.doussoulin@ufrontera.cl), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Effects of CIMTm combined with c-tDCS on paretic upper extremity function in women with stroke. (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 3 Jun 2026.