NIBALS: Non-Invasive Brain-stimulation in ALS.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Home-Based non-invasive electrical brain stimulation for people with motor neurone disease.
IRAS ID
358743
Contact name
James Alix
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 0 days
Research summary
In motor neurone disease (MND) before motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord die they become overactive. This is important as it makes the cells increasingly unhealthy. Finding ways to reduce this overactivity might help to slow the disease.
Transcranial electrical stimulation uses small electrical impulses delivered through electrodes placed on the scalp and has shown potential in reducing this overactivity in lots of different conditions.
A recent study in MND showed that daily sessions of this stimulation can reduce motor neurone overactivity in the brain. However the stimulation was done in hospital and this would be difficult for many people with MND to have, given the mobility issues associated with the disease.In our study we will test if this stimulation can be given at home, using a portable device, by people with MND and/or their care givers.
Participants will be identified through clinics at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Eligible individuals will be given a study invitation letter and participant information sheet.
After time for reflection and questions, those who wish to take part will have an appointment for initial tests, consent, and the first stimulation session. They will be trained to use the portable stimulator at home for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks with remote support provided throughout.
We will measure changes in brain and nerve overactivity before and after the two-week stimulation period. Participants and caregivers will also give feedback on whether they found the stimulation/stimulator acceptable and how they found using it.
This study will help us understand if home-based non-invasive brain stimulation could be an effective and acceptable way to reduce motor neurone overactivity in MND, and it will guide the design of larger trials in the future.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
25/WS/0174
Date of REC Opinion
20 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion