Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Investigating the Feasibility of Combining Virtual Reality and Bilateral Transcranial Direct Stimulation to Improve Upper Limb Recovery in Patients With Stroke
Sponsor: King Saud University
Summary
Following a stroke, the function of the distal upper limb, especially hand and finger movements, is often severely compromised, significantly restricting the ability to carry out daily activities. It is estimated that 55-75% of stroke survivors suffer from motor dysfunction, with upper limb impairments affecting up to 85% of them (Tang et al., 2024). Current rehabilitation approaches, while beneficial, often produce limited gains in hand function, particularly in patients with chronic stroke. Virtual reality (VR) training has emerged as a promising tool in neurorehabilitation, providing repetitive, task-specific, and engaging practice environments that can promote motor learning (Cameirão et al., 2012). tDCS has also shown potential to enhance motor recovery when combined with motor practice (Kang et al., 2016). To date, no studies have directly compared the effectiveness of Bi-tDCS with VR for improving upper limb function after stroke.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2025-12-28
Completion Date
2027-01-30
Last Updated
2025-12-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation combined with virtual reality
20 minutes of tDCS during 45 minutes of VR games. bi-tDCS will be used during the sessions. The anodal tDCS (2 mA) will be applied for 20 minutes. Continuous, direct currents. The anodal electrode will be positioned over the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1) of the affected hemisphere and the cathodal electrode over the contralesional hemisphere.
Sham Comparator
45 minutes of VR games with sham tDCS. This provides the participants with the experience of the initial itchy sensation that occurs during tDCS, which is required for efficient masking.
Locations (1)
King Fahad Medical City مدينه الملك فهد الطبيه, 6496 Makkah Al Mukarrama Road, الرياض, الرياض 12231
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia