Transcranial magnetic stimulation for adult stuttering
Modulating Bilateral Cortical Activation In Adults Who Stutter: A Pilot Study
NA · Kansas State University · NCT07389694
We will test whether repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to a language-related brain area can reduce stuttering in adults who stutter.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 2 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Kansas State University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Manhattan, Kansas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07389694 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants will receive structural MRI and resting-state fMRI for neuronavigation, then complete 10 rTMS sessions targeting the left inferior frontal gyrus guided by each participant's MRI. rTMS will be delivered at 10 Hz for 10 minutes per session at 120% of resting motor threshold. Three pre-treatment visits and two post-treatment visits will collect resting-state EEG, eye-tracking during phonological tasks, and spontaneous speech samples to measure percent syllables stuttered. The protocol compares brain and behavioral measures before and after the rTMS course to see if neural changes accompany reduced stuttering.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 who self-identify as currently stuttering, are monolingual English speakers with normal or corrected hearing and vision, and who have no contraindications to MRI or TMS are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with epilepsy or seizure history, prior neurosurgery or structural brain lesions, metallic implants or other MRI/TMS contraindications, significant medical or psychiatric disorders, non-English speakers, or those outside the 18–65 age range are unlikely to benefit or will be excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the treatment could reduce the frequency of stuttered syllables and improve everyday speaking fluency for adults who stutter.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is relatively novel for stuttering: small pilot studies and case reports show mixed but sometimes promising results, while larger controlled trials remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age from 18 to 65 years * Self-identifies as a person who currently stutters * Right-handed or left-handed * Normal hearing and (corrected) vision * Able to understand and give informed consent * Monolingual English speaker Exclusion Criteria: * Cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker wires; neurostimulators; implanted pumps * Metal in the body (rods, plates, screws, shrapnel, dentures, IUD) or metallic particles in the eye * Facial tattoos * Not having medical insurance * Surgical clips in the head or previous neurosurgery * Any magnetic particles in the body * Cochlear implants * Prosthetic heart valves * Epilepsy or any other type of seizure history * History of significant head trauma (i.e., extended loss of consciousness, neurological sequelae) * Known structural brain lesions * Pre-existing speech, language, or neurological disorder (except for stuttering) * Significant other disease (heart disease, malignant tumors, mental disorders) * Significant claustrophobia; Ménière's disease * Women who are trying to get pregnant and sexually active women (of reproductive age) not on a reliable contraceptive * Pregnancy, breastfeeding * Medications increasing the risk for seizures * Non-prescribed drug use * Use of recreational drugs such as medical marijuana * Failure to perform the behavioral tasks or neuropsychological evaluation tests * Prisoners
Where this trial is running
Manhattan, Kansas
- Bluemont Hall, Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University — Manhattan, Kansas, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kristin Pelczarski, Ph.D. — Kansas State University
- Study coordinator: Kristin Pelczarski, Ph.D.
- Email: kpelczar@ksu.edu
- Phone: 785-532-6879
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.
Conditions: Stuttering, Adult, stuttering, noninvasive treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation, eye tracking, EEG