The goal of the present clinical trial is to explore whether an innovative technology-based approach can help individuals who have had a stroke and can no longer move their hands with ease. Our approach consists of a combination of two technologies: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). The former entails the application of magnetic fields over the head to stimulate the brain preparing it for a better ability to produce movement. The latter consists of measuring brain activity to personalize a type of computer-based training that is designed to increase communication between the brain and the muscles.
Diagnosis of a subcortical stroke at least 6 months before the initiation of the trial and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography
Present moderate to severe hemiparesis in an upper limb
Language comprehension as well as visual and auditory perception sufficient to engage in Brain Computer Interface training
Age from 20 to 80 years old
Drug abuse or recent changes in medications that may alter the central nervous system when the measurements begin or during the measurements (e.g., benzodiazepines, serotoninergic and dopaminergic agents)
History of seizure
Bone, joint and muscle diseases
Peripheral neuropathy or other neurological or psychiatric diseases (including, tinnitus, migraine, or mood disorders with the exception of minimal, mild, and moderate depression, reflected as a Beck depression scale score lower than 29).
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Lead sponsor
University of Halle Medical Faculty
Collaborator