Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has proven to be an effective treatment for improving cognition, a crucial factor in motor learning. However, current studies are predominantly focused on the motor cortex, and the potential brain mechanisms responsible for the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Trials |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-07913-4 |
| _version_ | 1797273319677886464 |
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| author | Ming-Hui Lai Xiao-Ming Yu Yan Lu Hong-Lin Wang Wang Fu Huan-Xia Zhou Yuan-Li Li Jun Hu Jiayi Xia Zekai Hu Chun-Lei Shan Feng Wang Cong Wang |
| author_facet | Ming-Hui Lai Xiao-Ming Yu Yan Lu Hong-Lin Wang Wang Fu Huan-Xia Zhou Yuan-Li Li Jun Hu Jiayi Xia Zekai Hu Chun-Lei Shan Feng Wang Cong Wang |
| author_sort | Ming-Hui Lai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has proven to be an effective treatment for improving cognition, a crucial factor in motor learning. However, current studies are predominantly focused on the motor cortex, and the potential brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects are still unclear. Given the interconnected nature of motor learning within the brain network, we have proposed a novel approach known as multi-target tACS. This study aims to ascertain whether multi-target tACS is more effective than single-target stimulation in stroke patients and to further explore the potential underlying brain mechanisms by using techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods This study employs a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial design with a 2-week intervention period. Both participants and outcome assessors will remain unaware of treatment allocation throughout the study. Thirty-nine stroke patients will be recruited and randomized into three distinct groups, including the sham tACS group (SS group), the single-target tACS group (ST group), and the multi-target tACS group (MT group), at a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary outcomes are series reaction time tests (SRTTs) combined with electroencephalograms (EEGs). The secondary outcomes include motor evoked potential (MEP), central motor conduction time (CMCT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Box and Block Test (BBT), and blood sample RNA sequencing. The tACS interventions for all three groups will be administered over a 2-week period, with outcome assessments conducted at baseline (T0) and 1 day (T1), 7 days (T2), and 14 days (T3) of the intervention phase. Discussion The study’s findings will determine the potential of 40-Hz tACS to improve motor learning in stroke patients. Additionally, it will compare the effectiveness of multi-target and single-target approaches, shedding light on their respective improvement effects. Through the utilization of techniques such as TMS and MRI, the study aims to uncover the underlying brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic impact. Furthermore, the intervention has the potential to facilitate motor learning efficiency, thereby contributing to the advancement of future stroke rehabilitation treatment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300073465. Registered on 11 July 2023. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:42:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6eba513b0ab74256b9def3a568453785 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-6215 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:42:42Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trials |
| spelling | doaj.art-6eba513b0ab74256b9def3a5684537852024-03-05T20:10:55ZengBMCTrials1745-62152024-01-0125111310.1186/s13063-024-07913-4Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trialMing-Hui Lai0Xiao-Ming Yu1Yan Lu2Hong-Lin Wang3Wang Fu4Huan-Xia Zhou5Yuan-Li Li6Jun Hu7Jiayi Xia8Zekai Hu9Chun-Lei Shan10Feng Wang11Cong Wang12Department of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineThe Second Rehabilitation Hospital of ShanghaiThe Second Rehabilitation Hospital of ShanghaiThe Second Rehabilitation Hospital of ShanghaiDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Neurology, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Rehabilitation, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Background Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has proven to be an effective treatment for improving cognition, a crucial factor in motor learning. However, current studies are predominantly focused on the motor cortex, and the potential brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects are still unclear. Given the interconnected nature of motor learning within the brain network, we have proposed a novel approach known as multi-target tACS. This study aims to ascertain whether multi-target tACS is more effective than single-target stimulation in stroke patients and to further explore the potential underlying brain mechanisms by using techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods This study employs a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial design with a 2-week intervention period. Both participants and outcome assessors will remain unaware of treatment allocation throughout the study. Thirty-nine stroke patients will be recruited and randomized into three distinct groups, including the sham tACS group (SS group), the single-target tACS group (ST group), and the multi-target tACS group (MT group), at a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary outcomes are series reaction time tests (SRTTs) combined with electroencephalograms (EEGs). The secondary outcomes include motor evoked potential (MEP), central motor conduction time (CMCT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Box and Block Test (BBT), and blood sample RNA sequencing. The tACS interventions for all three groups will be administered over a 2-week period, with outcome assessments conducted at baseline (T0) and 1 day (T1), 7 days (T2), and 14 days (T3) of the intervention phase. Discussion The study’s findings will determine the potential of 40-Hz tACS to improve motor learning in stroke patients. Additionally, it will compare the effectiveness of multi-target and single-target approaches, shedding light on their respective improvement effects. Through the utilization of techniques such as TMS and MRI, the study aims to uncover the underlying brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic impact. Furthermore, the intervention has the potential to facilitate motor learning efficiency, thereby contributing to the advancement of future stroke rehabilitation treatment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300073465. Registered on 11 July 2023.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-07913-4Transcranial alternating current stimulationMotor learning40-Hz multi-target stimulationStroke rehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Ming-Hui Lai Xiao-Ming Yu Yan Lu Hong-Lin Wang Wang Fu Huan-Xia Zhou Yuan-Li Li Jun Hu Jiayi Xia Zekai Hu Chun-Lei Shan Feng Wang Cong Wang Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial Trials Transcranial alternating current stimulation Motor learning 40-Hz multi-target stimulation Stroke rehabilitation |
| title | Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi target transcranial alternating current stimulation tacs on motor learning in stroke patients study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Transcranial alternating current stimulation Motor learning 40-Hz multi-target stimulation Stroke rehabilitation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-07913-4 |
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