Improving naming treatment for people with aphasia after stroke
Official title: Integrating Complementary Learning Principles in Aphasia Rehabilitation Via Adaptive Modeling (Sub-study 1: Balancing Effortful and Errorless Learning Via Adaptive Naming Deadlines)
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT05653440 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests new ways to help people with aphasia after a stroke improve their naming skills and use them in daily life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 27, 2023 |
| Main results expected | January 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | January 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05653440 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with chronic aphasia due to a left hemisphere stroke, at least six months post-onset.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with right hemisphere strokes or significant language comprehension impairments 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 evaluates new treatment approaches for individuals with aphasia, focusing on improving long-term retention and everyday use of naming abilities. It involves a randomized within-subjects crossover design with 30 participants who will undergo 8 treatment sessions across three different conditions. The conditions include accuracy-maximized, effort-maximized, and effort-accuracy balanced approaches, with assessments conducted at various intervals to measure progress. The study aims to enhance the effectiveness of picture-based naming treatments by balancing effortful and errorless learning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the ability of patients with aphasia to recall and use words in daily life.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on naming treatments for aphasia, this specific approach of balancing effort and errorless learning is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Existing diagnosis of chronic (\>6 months) aphasia subsequent to left hemisphere ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. * Impaired performance on 2/8 sections of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test. Exclusion Criteria: * History of other acquired or progressive neurological disease. * Significant language comprehension impairments * Unmanaged drug / alcohol dependence. * Severe diagnosed mood or behavioral disorders that require specialize mental health interventions.
Where it's running
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Language Rehab and Cognition Lab, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: William Evans, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Alyssa Kelly, M.A., CCC-SLP
- Email: ank155@pitt.edu
- Phone: 412-648-3274
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.