Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined With Motor Rehabilitation Improves Motor and Functional Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Ischemic Stroke, Hemiplegia, Motor Function Impairment

In brief

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of long-term motor disability, frequently resulting in hemiplegia and limitations in daily activities and quality of life. Motor rehabilitation is a fundamental component of post-stroke care across all stages of recovery; however, functional outcomes may vary, particularly in patients with persistent motor impairment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been used as an adjunct to rehabilitation to modulate cortical excitability and potentially support motor recovery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of low-frequency rTMS combined with conventional motor rehabilitation compared with sham rTMS combined with conventional motor rehabilitation in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke during the acute, subacute, and chronic stages. Motor function, balance, functional mobility, activities of daily living, and stroke-specific quality of life will be assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07369648

Run by

Hanoi Medical University

People needed

66

Starts

2026-02-01

Expected to finish

2028-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-10

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 18 to 80 years.
• Diagnosed with a first-ever ischemic stroke, confirmed by neuroimaging.
• Presence of unilateral hemiparesis attributable to the first-ever ischemic stroke.
• Time since stroke onset:
• Acute stage: < 1 month after stroke onset
• Subacute stage: 1 to 6 months after stroke onset
• Chronic stage: > 6 months after stroke onset
• Moderate neurological impairment, defined as a baseline NIHSS score between 5 and 14.
• Cognitive ability sufficient to understand and follow instructions, indicated by a baseline MMSE score ≥ 20.
• Medically stable and able to participate in a structured motor rehabilitation program.
• Provided written informed consent prior to study enrollment.
• NIHSS and MMSE scores are assessed at baseline only to characterize neurological severity and cognitive status at study entry

You may not qualify if…

• Motor impairment caused by conditions other than ischemic stroke, such as musculoskeletal disorders, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, encephalitis, or other neurological conditions.
• Contraindications to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, including but not limited to intracranial metallic implants, implanted electronic medical devices (e.g., pacemaker), cochlear implants, known bleeding disorders, pregnancy, history of epilepsy or seizure disorders, severe cardiac disease, severe psychiatric or neurological disorders interfering with participation, or active skin conditions at the stimulation site.
• History of epilepsy or seizure disorders.
• Recurrent stroke occurring during the intervention period.
• Refusal to participate, withdrawal of informed consent, or non-adherence to the intervention protocol.

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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