TENS for Limb Function in Stroke: Design and Rationale for a Randomized Trial

NCT ID: NCT06997744

Last Updated: 2025-08-28

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

156 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-01

Study Completion Date

2028-09-30

Brief Summary

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This study tests whether slow or fast electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) works better to improve arm movement in people recovering from a stroke. Participants will receive TENS on their weak arm three times a week for eight weeks. The results will help find the best TENS setting to support stroke recovery.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Stroke

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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2Hz TENS Group

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Low-frequency(2HZ) TENS

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants receive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at a frequency of 2Hz. The stimulation is delivered using surface electrodes placed on the affected upper limb. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is conducted three times per week for a total of 8 weeks. Intensity is gradually increased from 1 mA to 3 mA during each session.

100Hz TENS Group

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

High-frequency(100HZ) TENS

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants receive TENS at a frequency of 100Hz using the same electrode placement and schedule as the 2Hz group. Sessions last 30 minutes, three times weekly for 8 weeks, with intensity increasing from 1 mA to 3 mA across the session. This group represents high-frequency stimulation.

Placebo TENS Group

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo TENS

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants use a TENS device identical in appearance to the active treatment units. The power light is on, but no electrical stimulation is delivered due to internal circuit disconnection. Sessions follow the same schedule and duration as the active groups.

No-treatment Control Group

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Low-frequency(2HZ) TENS

Participants receive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at a frequency of 2Hz. The stimulation is delivered using surface electrodes placed on the affected upper limb. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is conducted three times per week for a total of 8 weeks. Intensity is gradually increased from 1 mA to 3 mA during each session.

Intervention Type DEVICE

High-frequency(100HZ) TENS

Participants receive TENS at a frequency of 100Hz using the same electrode placement and schedule as the 2Hz group. Sessions last 30 minutes, three times weekly for 8 weeks, with intensity increasing from 1 mA to 3 mA across the session. This group represents high-frequency stimulation.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Placebo TENS

Participants use a TENS device identical in appearance to the active treatment units. The power light is on, but no electrical stimulation is delivered due to internal circuit disconnection. Sessions follow the same schedule and duration as the active groups.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 18 to 85 years
2. Clinical diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) within the past 10 days to 2 months
3. Presence of voluntary movement in the non-paretic arm and at least minimal antigravity movement in the paretic shoulder
4. At least 5 degrees of active wrist extension on the paretic side
5. Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Uncontrolled medical, cardiovascular, or orthopedic conditions
2. Contraindications to TENS (e.g., implanted cardiac pacemaker, skin allergies)
3. Receptive aphasia preventing informed consent or cooperation
4. Significant peripheral neuropathy affecting upper limbs
5. Current participation in another clinical trial or drug study
6. Severe contractures in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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CHENGNING Song

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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CHENGNING Song

Doctor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Fuyong People's Hospital, Bao'an District, Shenzhen

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Site Status

Countries

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China

Central Contacts

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Bo Lei

Role: CONTACT

+86 151 0755 0352

Facility Contacts

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Role: primary

+8618822864744

Other Identifiers

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KY-2025-111

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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