Combined Functional Electrical and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Foot Drop

Part of paid clinical trials in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sponsor
Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia
Study ID
NCT07592221
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Falls
  • Foot Drop
  • Post Stroke Recovery

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Standard protocol for combo of FES and tDCS — BEHAVIORAL
    The gait training consisted of treadmill training with forward and backward ambulation with speed progression as appropriate, ambulation over obstacles, ramp ambulation forwards and backwards, and stair ambulation up and down. In each condition, cues were to increase toe clearance on the affected limb and achieve heel strike at initial contact. Vitals were collected at the start and end of each session, and heart rate was measured at the end of each activity, along with the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), to determine whether the participant was working at a higher intensity than baseline.

Study Details

This study aims to determine if combining the treatments of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) will better help persons with stroke who have difficulty lifting their toes. As part of the treatment, subjects will receive electrical stimulation through pads on their scalp (similar to what one may have received in physical therapy previously to an arm or leg). This protocol is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Subjects will also receive electrical stimulation through pads on their leg. This is called functional electrical stimulation (FES). During treatment sessions, subjects will also perform leg activity/strengthening exercises. The aim is to evaluate whether combining FES and tDCS within a PT session would reduce foot drop as indicated by improvements in the amount of toe clearance and ankle motion persons with stroke.

Key Dates

Start date
Jun 1, 2026
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2028
Completion
Aug 30, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
30 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: FES and tDCS
    The tDCS was applied as a bilateral montage with the anode of the tDCS device (ActivaDose II, ActivaTek Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) applied to the involved hemisphere and the cathode over the unaffected hemisphere. The dosage of the tDCS device was one mA for 60 minutes for the duration of the gait training delivered via a pair of sponge electrodes moistened with 0.9% NaCl solution. The exact locations for the electrode placements were based on a 20-point electrode system, in which we chose two points that targeted the motor cortex region corresponding to the left lower limb. Treatments were performed twice weekly over the 8 weeks. The FES was administered to the tibialis anterior muscle of the impaired lower extremity with one electrode over the common peroneal nerve at the head of the fibula and the other over a motor point in the middle of the muscle belly of the tibialis anterior muscle.
  • Active Comparator: FES with tDCS subthreshold
    The tDCS was applied as a bilateral montage with the anode of the tDCS device (ActivaDose II, ActivaTek Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA) applied to the involved hemisphere and the cathode over the unaffected hemisphere. The dosage of the tDCS device was set initially at one mA for 60 minutes and then for the duration of the gait training the machine was turned to subthreshold levels, delivered via a pair of sponge electrodes moistened with 0.9% NaCl solution. The exact locations for the electrode placements were based on a 20-point electrode system, in which we chose two points that targeted the motor cortex region corresponding to the left lower limb. Treatments were performed twice weekly over the 8 weeks. The FES was administered to the tibialis anterior muscle of the impaired lower extremity with one electrode over the common peroneal nerve at the head of the fibula and the other over a motor point in the middle of the muscle belly of the tibialis anterior muscle.

Primary Outcome Measure

minimum toe clearance [ Time Frame: A pretest at baseline 2-3 days prior to the start of the intervention and then after 12 training sessions (between 6 and 8 weeks) posttests will occur 2-3 days after the 12th and final intervention is completed. ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Saint Joseph's UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvania19104-

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Saint Joseph's University· Philadelphia, PA

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