Stroke and Hand Weakness Study

STUDY BASICS

Did you have a stroke more than 6 months ago? Do you have weakness in your hand from the stroke? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if electrical stimulation can improve hand movement. The study involves 21 visits including 6 weeks of a treatment program, testing of movement abilities, and questions about the use of the weaker hand. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Weakness in the hand is one of the most frequent side effects of having a stroke, and more effective treatments to help with hand movement recovery are needed. The purpose of this study is to find out if a treatment approach combining non-invasive brain stimulation (a way to stimulate the brain by wearing a cap with small pads that rest on the head) and electrical stimulation (a way to stimulate the hand by attaching small pads to the forearm) of the weaker hand improves the movement in that hand after a stroke.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18 years and up
• Had a stroke more than 6 months ago
• Have weakness in arm or hand from stroke
• No severe speech or language impairment

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

During an initial 2-hour visit, participants will complete questionnaires and tests that measure thinking, mood, ability to move hand, ability to follow instructions, and connection between the brain and the weak wrist. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to measure the connection between the brain and the weak wrist. This will involve placement of muscle activity sensors on the wrist and a pad on the head. The pad will deliver a magnetic pulse to the head. Qualified participants will be asked to return for 2 visits totaling 9 hours during which they will complete more questionnaires and tests that measure ability to move the weaker hand and brain activity using sensors. After these 2 visits, participants will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to either receive non-invasive brain stimulation and electrical stimulation of the hand, or sham- brain stimulation (that looks and feels like the real tCS but does not involve electrical stimulation to the brain) and electrical stimulation of the hand. Treatments will take place 3 times a week for 6 weeks, with each visit lasting about 1 hour. After completion of the 6 weeks treatment and at 3 months post-treatment, participants will again complete questionnaires and tests that measure mood, ability to move hand, brain activity, and connection to the weaker wrist. All procedures including screening, testing, and treatment are conducted at the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh.