Enhancing speech-language treatment for stroke patients with aphasia using brain stimulation
Official title: Targeted Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Speech-Language Treatment Outcome in Persons With Chronic Post-Stroke Aphasia
Run by University of New Mexico · NCT04432883 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if adding brain stimulation to speech therapy can help stroke survivors with aphasia improve their language skills better than just therapy alone.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 25 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of New Mexico Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Albuquerque, New Mexico) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 18, 2022 |
| Main results expected | March 26, 2027 |
| Study ends | April 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04432883 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 25-85 who are more than six months post-stroke and have a diagnosis of aphasia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with comorbid neurological diseases or significant mood disorders may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to recruit 62 patients who are at least one year post-stroke and have developed aphasia as a result. Participants will undergo four assessment sessions and 15 treatment sessions involving targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the right Inferior Frontal Gyrus, combined with a specific language therapy. The study will compare the effectiveness of active tDCS versus sham stimulation in improving language outcomes. Assessments will be conducted before treatment, immediately after, and at a three-month follow-up to evaluate the impact of the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve communication abilities in patients with chronic post-stroke aphasia.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using brain stimulation to enhance language therapy outcomes, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. aged 25-85 2. must be greater than 6 months post-stroke 3. must have a diagnosis of aphasia based on impaired performance on the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised, Boston Naming Test, or during discourse production 4. must be left-hemisphere dominant as demonstrated by aphasia onset subsequent to left hemisphere damage 5. must be stimulable for naming Exclusion Criteria: 1. comorbid neurological disease. 2. damage to the anterior right hemisphere. 3. significant mood disorder. 4. substance/alcohol dependence or abuse within the past year 5. presence of any implanted electrical device or contraindications to tDCS or MRI 6. recent medical instability (within 4 weeks) 7. pregnancy
Where it's running
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University of New Mexico Center for Brain Recovery and Repair
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jessica Richardson, Ph.D. — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Jessica Richardson, Ph.D.
- Email: jdrichardson@unm.edu
- Phone: 505 277-1765
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Tailoring rTMS for Post-Stroke Aphasia Based on Language Profile
A non-drug brain stimulation approach is tested to see if customizing rTMS targets improves language recovery in people with aphasia after a left-brain stroke.
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tDCS in Rehab for Stroke-Related Aphasia: A Practical Implementation
This study tests whether a 20-minute anodal tDCS session paired with speech therapy can be integrated into routine inpatient and outpatient rehab for people who recently had a stroke and now have aphasia.
-
Decoding Mandarin speech features from brain-surface signals
This project will try to decode imagined Mandarin speech, including lexical tones, from high-density brain-surface (ECoG) signals in adult patients who are having clinically indicated cortical electrode placement.
-
Digital speech-therapy app Zenicom for subacute post-stroke aphasia in Korean speakers
This trial will try the Zenicom digital speech-therapy app alongside conventional therapy to see if it helps Korean adults with aphasia after a recent (within 3 months) stroke.
-
Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke
This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.
-
TMS plus language therapy to improve word-finding after left-hemisphere stroke
Researchers will try excitatory transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with semantic feature analysis language therapy to improve word-finding in adults with aphasia after left-hemisphere stroke.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.