Dual-task Training Combined with TDCS on Cognitive-motor Performance and Brain Activity in Stroke Patients

NCT ID: NCT06769672

Last Updated: 2025-03-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 72 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-01-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate tDCS combined with cognitive-motor training on dual-task interference during dual-task walking, dual-task foot pedaling and the corresponding alterations of brain activity.

Detailed Description

In China, the prevalence of stroke increased by 106.0% (93.7-118.8) between 1990 and 2019, highlighting the persistent and substantial burden of this condition. Post-stroke recovery, particularly the ability to achieve community ambulation, plays a critical role in improving health-related quality of life. Effective community ambulation in daily life requires the ability to dual-task-namely, to perform concurrent tasks requiring attentional resources while maintaining walking function and balance. Emerging evidence suggests that stroke survivors face greater challenges in walking function and dual-task balance compared to their age-matched, able-bodied counterparts. For instance, when tasked with recalling a shopping list while walking, stroke patients exhibit a more pronounced decline in both walking speed and cognitive performance relative to control groups. Given the necessity for stroke survivors to reintegrate into the community, it is imperative to thoroughly investigate this phenomenon of cognitive-motor interference.

Conditions

Stroke; Cortical Excitability

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

active tDCS combined with dual-task group

patients receive three active tDCS and three dual motor-cognitive exercise training per week for four weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

active tDCS with dual-task training

Intervention Type: OTHER

participants receive three 20-minute active tDCS treatment and three 60-minute COGMOTION dual-task exercise sessions per week for four consecutive weeks.

sham tDCS combined with dual-task group

Patients receive three sham tDCS and three dual cognitive-motor exercise training per week for four weeks.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

sham tDCS with dual-task training

Intervention Type: OTHER

participants receive three 20-minute sham tDCS treatment and three 60-minute COGMOTION dual-task exercise sessions per week for four consecutive weeks.

Interventions

active tDCS with dual-task training

participants receive three 20-minute active tDCS treatment and three 60-minute COGMOTION dual-task exercise sessions per week for four consecutive weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

sham tDCS with dual-task training

participants receive three 20-minute sham tDCS treatment and three 60-minute COGMOTION dual-task exercise sessions per week for four consecutive weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• a diagnosis of stroke, stroke onset of more than 6 months,
• aged 50 or more,
• capable of following verbal and visual instructions,
• having a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥ 22,
• able to walk for 10 meters with/without a mobility aid,
• community-dwelling, unilateral stroke

Exclusion Criteria

• neurological disorders, gait-precluding pain or comorbidity,
• receiving any formal rehabilitation training,
• contraindications to exercise (e.g., unstable angina),
• contraindications to fNIRS, MRI, and tDCS (e.g., brain skin injury, pacemaker, metal implants in the brain),
• history of seizure or epilepsy,
• color blindness.
• unable to walk with/without a mobility aid while responsing stimulus by the remote control

• Minimum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Hong Kong

Central Contacts

Prof. Marco PANG

Role: CONTACT

Marco.Pang@polyu.edu.hk

+852 2766 7156

Facility Contacts

Marco Yiu-Chung Pang

Role: primary

marco.pang@polyu.edu.hk

+852 2766 7156

Other Identifiers

Marco PANG_tDCS

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id