Priming With tDCS: Expanding the Window of Recovery in Chronic Stroke

February 3, 2023 updated by: Gregory Thielman, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Investigation of Central Priming Prior to Training of the Upper Extremity in Chronic Stroke

Stroke often leads to long-term disability including upper extremity (UE) dysfunction even with the provision of timely rehabilitation services. Brain injury stemming from stroke, affecting the corticospinal system results in weakness, alterations in muscle tone and incoordination during the performance of functional tasks. Recovery of functional task performance after injury to the corticospinal system involves a residual neural network that engages the premotor cortex, frontal cortex and supplementary motor cortex. In particular, the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) is anatomically and physiologically poised to reorganize and support motor recovery after corticospinal damage. The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of stimulating the ipsilesional PMd in adults with chronic stroke using noninvasive anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during the training sessions of a 4-week circuit-based, UE, task-related training (TRT) program. Pilot data from six adults, using anodal tDCS over the injured PMd just before each session of TRT, led to significant improvements in UE function in 5 of the 6 adults after only 4 weeks of training. We will assess the motor function of both arms using clinical assessments immediately before and after the 4-week TRT program. In addition to effects of tDCS-primed UE-TRT on clinical outcomes, we will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine the changes in neural network reorganization. We hypothesize that the training program will reveal significant improvement in motor function based on clinical assessment as well as significant global network changes based on resting state functional MRI and hybrid diffusion MR imaging. The long-term goal of this research is to develop an effective intervention strategy to improve UE function in individuals with moderate impairment from chronic stroke.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Detailed Description

AIM 1: To determine if UE motor performance significantly improves in individuals with moderate impairment from chronic stroke, following anodal tDCS applied to the ipsilesional PMd during circuit-based, UE, TRT conducted three times/week for 4-weeks. Hypothesis: Following a 4-week, tDCS-paired UE TRT program, there will be significant changes in unimanual and bimanual performance in individuals with moderate impairment from chronic stroke, as detected by clinical assessments. Our primary measure will be UE accelerometry gathered with wrist-based ActiGraphs; a secondary measure will be the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT).

AIM 2: To determine if there are significant structural and functional brain changes in individuals with moderate impairment from chronic stroke, following anodal tDCS applied to the ipsilesional PMd paired with circuit-based, UE, TRT conducted 3 times/week for 4-weeks. Hypothesis: Following a 4-week, tDCS-paired UE TRT program, there will be significant structural/functional brain changes as detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI). Based on prior work,4,10 we expect that there will be an increase in resting state functional connectivity as shown using BOLD fMRI between the cerebellum and cortical areas.

Task related training (TRT) is a treatment approach that aims to increase use of the paretic arm, avoid learned disuse and minimize compensation (Thielman et al, 2004). It involves variable practice of goal-directed, functional movements in a natural environment (Ada et al, 1994) focusing on solving movement problems (Gentile, 2000). Task related training has been found to significantly improve paretic arm function post-stroke, in individuals with baseline UE FM < 35 (Kim et al., 2013; Thielman et al., 2004; Thielman, 2015; Wu et al, 2000).

The effects of TRT could be augmented with noninvasive brain stimulation pairing. Motor priming before or during task practice has been found to foster motor learning and UE function in healthy individuals and persons post-stroke by increasing neuroplasticity (Fusco et al., 2014; Stoykov and Madhavan, 2015; Stoykov and Stinear, 2010). Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is one form of stimulation (Fusco et al., 2014). Anodal tDCS increases neuronal excitability by depolarizing the membrane potential while cathodal tDCS decreases excitability and hyperpolarizes the membrane potential (Nitsche and Paulus, 2001). After effects from anodal tDCS stimulation, involving activation of NDMA receptors associated with long-term potentiation, have been shown to last up to 120 minutes (min) (Madhavan and Shah, 2012). Anodal tDCS administered during intervention has a greater impact on UE function than therapy or tDCS alone (Bolognini et al., 2011; Butler et al., 2013; Cho et al., 2015; Lee and Lee, 2015; Yao et al., 2015). While the receipt of tDCS during therapeutic interventions is promising, it can limit the therapy to seated or more sedentary programs. Given the support in the literature, we believe it may be more effective to foster neuroplasticity and UE functional recovery in chronic stroke survivors if tDCS is done repetitively, during participation in a dynamic UE standing program. Our circuit-based, UE TRT standing program requires more aerobic effort from participants than seated programming and greater aerobic effort has been shown to foster neuroplasticity in persons post-stroke (Mang et al., 2013; Quaney et al., 2009).

Expanding Plasticity Beyond the Motor Cortex. The dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) may be a more suitable neural substrate for promoting recovery in moderately impaired individuals. While the results of anodal priming over the ipsilesional motor cortex are promising, the effects have primarily been limited to persons with mild impairments. For persons with moderate impairment, a substantial portion of the motor cortex and/or corticospinal system is damaged leaving less neural substrate within M1 than can be targeted using anodal tDCS. In such individuals, alternative cortical sites may have greater potential to reorganize and implement motor recovery. Previously, we (Kantak et. al., 2012) and others (Plow et al., 2016) proposed that the PMd may be uniquely poised to reorganize and implement recovery after motor cortex injury. The PMd contributes to over 30% of descending corticospinal fibers (Barbas and Pandya, 1987; Dum and Strick, 2002). Further, the PMd has been shown to reorganize after stroke, contributing to motor performance (Fridman et al., 2004; Kantak et al., 2012; Mohapatra et al., 2016). We believe that the benefit of priming the PMd before engaging in circuit-based, UE TRT warrants further investigation.

Brain Imaging. Using hybrid diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) to quantify structural and functional changes in the brain is critical to understand behavioral change post-injury and with training. Functional organization of intact cortical tissue post-stroke is dependent on the post-injury behavioral experience (O'Shea et al, 2007). Neuroimaging has been used to show an increase in neural activity in persons who engage in TRT post-stroke (Nelles et al,2001). By using fMRI to assess brain function, the volume of activation in regional brain areas can be determined, which could be used to predict treatment outcome (Cramer, 2008).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

14

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Pennsylvania
      • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
        • University of the Sciences

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. > 18-75 years of age;
  2. diagnosis of ≥ 1 stroke > 6 months before participation;
  3. in good health;
  4. classified with moderate impairment based on the UE Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA; score of 19-47
  5. safe for the MRI environment;
  6. able to elevate and hold the paretic arm for 2 seconds at 90 degs shoulder elevation, 160-180O elbow extension and neutral forearm supination;
  7. ≥ 20 degrees gravity minimized wrist extension while holding a cylindrical object on a tabletop.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. bone or joint limitations that restrict paretic arm motion;
  2. history of skull fractures or burr hole(s);
  3. resting heart rate and resting blood pressure outside the range of 40-100 beats/min and 90/60 to 170/90 mm Hg respectively;
  4. chest pain or shortness of breath at rest;
  5. history epilepsy or seizures;
  6. Botox injections to the paretic arm within 4 months of participation.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: PARALLEL
  • Masking: TRIPLE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Experimental
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.1) Scalp measurements of the scalp will be taken using the 10-20 EEG measurement system to determine anode and cathode placement. 2) One 1x1 Bicarbon electrode with wires attached will be placed in the center of each 5 cm x 7 cm sponge electrode dampened with 8 ml of saline. 3) One sponge electrode will be placed over the ipsilesional PMd (F3) and the other sponge electrode over the contralesional supraorbital region(Fp2). 4) Each sponge electrode will be secured under the plastic EZ strap 5) The current from the Actividose II will be turned up to 2 MA. The current will ramp up/down in 15 seconds. We will observe for adverse effects and hit the pause button, then turn the machine off, if a participant does not tolerate the stimulation. Individuals in this arm will have the stimulation stay in current until the full dose is delivered. Each participant will then engage in the UE TRT as outlined below.
see arm/group descriptions
Other Names:
  • Upper extremity Circuit training
SHAM_COMPARATOR: Control
Individuals in this arm will have the stimulation cycled off after 2-3 minutes. All will be part of the Circuit-Based, UE Task Related Training. Each participant will engage in the training program for 1.5 hours; rotating through 5 stations at about 15 minute intervals, participating in standing as tolerated, but stations can be adapted to sitting. The goal is for each participant perform > 225 movements with the affected arm per session, at the highest functional level. Rest breaks given as needed. Examples of stations are: Reach-to-grasp tasks to objects of various weight, texture and dimension at different distances and table heights. Practice opening simulated locks and containers. Shoulder wheel involving grasping plastic plates with varied grip patterns and sliding them up and over the wheel from the unaffected to the affected side encouraging shoulder abduction, external rotation and supination. Bimanual/unimanual ball toss: catching, releasing.
see arm/group descriptions
Other Names:
  • Upper extremity Circuit training

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
UE Accelerometry
Time Frame: 3 day period prior to training
actigraph markers placed on each arm
3 day period prior to training
UE Accelerometry
Time Frame: 3 day period post training to assess change- more activity inbdicates greater overall use
actigraph markers placed on each arm
3 day period post training to assess change- more activity inbdicates greater overall use
Functional MRI
Time Frame: within 3 days prior to training
fMRI consisting of structural data collected, DTI, resting state data functional task data
within 3 days prior to training
Functional MRI
Time Frame: within 3 days post training to measure change- increased activity in designated areas explains pattern of neuroplasticity
fMRI consisting of structural data collected, DTI, resting state data and functional task data
within 3 days post training to measure change- increased activity in designated areas explains pattern of neuroplasticity

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days prior to training start
Impairment measures- FMA
1-3 days prior to training start
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days post training
Impairment measures- FMA (19-47. with higher scores indicating positive change)
1-3 days post training
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days prior to training start
Impairment measures- grip strength (0-60 Kg, with higher scores indicating increased strength
1-3 days prior to training start
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days post training
Impairment measures- grip strength
1-3 days post training
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days prior to training start
Impairment measures- AROM
1-3 days prior to training start
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days post training
Impairment measures- AROM (elbow extension- minus 30 to 0, with 0 being full positive for full extension; shoulder flexion- 90 - 180, with greater excursion indicating greater positive progress
1-3 days post training
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days prior to training start
Activity measures-Wolf Motor Function Test- time to complete task
1-3 days prior to training start
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days post training
Activity measures-Wolf Motor Function Test- time to complete task indicated- with less time indicting improvement
1-3 days post training
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days prior to training start
Patient Reported measure- Stroke Impact Scale-
1-3 days prior to training start
Body Structure Function and Impairment Data
Time Frame: 1-3 days post training
Patient Reported measure- Stroke Impact Scale- pt.reports changes on named activities participation in real world on a 1-5 point Likert scale across the 8 domains, with higher scores indicating less difficulty on the tasks
1-3 days post training

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Gregory Thielman, EdD, Professor

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (ACTUAL)

January 14, 2019

Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED)

April 14, 2023

Study Completion (ANTICIPATED)

April 14, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 22, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 23, 2019

First Posted (ACTUAL)

May 28, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

February 6, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 3, 2023

Last Verified

February 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

all fMRI data will be made available to the ENIGMA Stroke group as a member of this consortium.

The behavioral data is available publicly as able on this or any site I am directed to. Often I am contacted individually by the PI of systematic reviews for this type of data

IPD Sharing Time Frame

as requested and up to 5 years

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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