Mechanisms of Open and Hidden Placebo in Stroke Recovery
Recruiting
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults with hemiparesis due to chronic stroke 2. Stroke duration of 6 months or more 3. Fugl-Meyer scale upper extremity motor assessment score of \> 11 and ≤ 56 4. Pre-stroke disability (defined as a score of \< 3 on the Modified Rankin Scale) 5. Age 18 or older Exclusion Criteria: 1. Stroke of anterior cerebral artery territory with prefrontal lesion and stroke-related decreased EEG power in the prefrontal cortex 2. Unable to understand instructions 3. TMS contraindications: electronic hardware in close contact to the discharging coil such as cochlear implant, internal pulse generator or medical pump 4. Concurrent unstable medical conditions 5. A score of 24 or higher on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) 6. Joint or paretic extremity pain likely to interfere with assessments 7. Pregnancy
About the study
This trial aims to investigate whether placebo in isolation (open and hidden) has a specific neural signature in stroke subjects thus providing a novel mechanism to explain placebo effects that can be used to ultimately enhance stroke rehabilitation therapies.
What is being tested
- Active rTMS (device)
- Sham rTMS (device)
- Open Placebo (dietary supplement)
Sponsor: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · Participants: 56 · Started: Sep 11, 2023
Contact the study team
- Felipe Fregni, MD, PhD, MPH · Phone: 6179526156
- Elly Pichardo, MD · Phone: 6179526154
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05832567
Locations in the U.S.
| Massachusetts | Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, Cambridge |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.