Combining speech therapy with brain stimulation to improve speech in Parkinson's patients
Home-based Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Combination With Lee Silverman Voice Treatment on Hypokinetic Dysarthria in Parkinson's Disease
This study is testing if combining speech therapy with a type of brain stimulation can help people with Parkinson's disease improve their speech better than just speech therapy alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Masaryk University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brno) |
| Trial ID | NCT06416553 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project investigates the effects of combining speech therapy with home-based non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) on patients with Parkinson's disease who experience hypokinetic dysarthria. The study employs a double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled design with 40 participants divided into two groups, one receiving real tDCS and the other receiving sham stimulation alongside the Lee-Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after four weeks, and eight weeks later, utilizing EEG, speech tasks, and MR scanning to monitor changes in speech and brain plasticity. The goal is to determine if the combination treatment yields better outcomes than speech therapy alone.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with clinically established Parkinson's disease who do not have psychiatric disorders or dementia.
Not a fit: Patients with psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, or MRI-incompatible metal in their body may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve speech quality and communication abilities for patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, but this specific combination of therapies is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patients with clinically established PD (Postuma et al. 2016) Exclusion Criteria: * psychiatric disorders, including major depression, hallucinations * any MRI-incompatible metal in the body * epilepsy * lack of cooperation * presence of dementia
Where this trial is running
Brno
- Central European Institute of Technology — Brno, Czechia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lubos Brabenec
- Email: lubos.brabenec@ceitec.muni.cz
- Phone: +420731076102
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.