RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07592221

Combined Functional Electrical and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Foot Drop

Combined Functional Electrical and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Foot Drop: A Case Series

Sponsor

Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

Jun 1, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Foot drop Falls Post Stroke Recovery

Summary

This study aims to determine if combining the treatments of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) will better help persons with stroke who have difficulty lifting their toes. As part of the treatment, subjects will receive electrical stimulation through pads on their scalp (similar to what one may have received in physical therapy previously to an arm or leg). This protocol is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Subjects will also receive electrical stimulation through pads on their leg. This is called functional electrical stimulation (FES). During treatment sessions, subjects will also perform leg activity/strengthening exercises. The aim is to evaluate whether combining FES and tDCS within a PT session would reduce foot drop as indicated by improvements in the amount of toe clearance and ankle motion persons with stroke.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

years or older
Have had 1 or more strokes (> 6 months) affecting ankle dorsiflexion.
Discharged from all rehabilitative services.
Can walk independently with/without using an assistive device such as a cane without an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for 15 minutes.

Exclusion Criteria3

An inability to repeat and understand 2-step commands.
Peripheral neuropathy
Damage to the skull or scalp, such as a fracture History of seizures or epilepsy Extremely high or low blood pressure or heart rate Chest pain or shortness of breath when you are resting Botox injections to your leg or foot in the last 4 months

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALStandard protocol for combo of FES and tDCS

The gait training consisted of treadmill training with forward and backward ambulation with speed progression as appropriate, ambulation over obstacles, ramp ambulation forwards and backwards, and stair ambulation up and down. In each condition, cues were to increase toe clearance on the affected limb and achieve heel strike at initial contact. Vitals were collected at the start and end of each session, and heart rate was measured at the end of each activity, along with the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), to determine whether the participant was working at a higher intensity than baseline.