Transcranial stimulation to improve reading in children with dyslexia
Probing the Efficacy of V5/MT Stimulation on Reading and Reading-related Measures in Children and Adolescents With Developmental Dyslexia
This study is testing if a special brain stimulation can help improve reading skills in children and teens with dyslexia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 13 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Bambino Gesù Hospital and Research Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Roma) |
| Trial ID | NCT05972200 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on reading skills in children and adolescents diagnosed with developmental dyslexia. It aims to determine whether active stimulation over the V5/MT area of the brain can enhance reading abilities compared to sham stimulation or stimulation over a different brain area. The study will include participants who are Italian-speaking, right-handed, and meet specific reading accuracy criteria, while excluding those with certain psychiatric or neurological conditions. The safety and tolerability of the stimulation will also be assessed throughout the trial.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Italian-speaking, right-handed children and adolescents with developmental dyslexia who have reading skills at least 2 standard deviations below the mean.
Not a fit: Patients with comorbid psychiatric or neurological disorders, or those with a history of epilepsy, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve reading skills in children and adolescents with developmental dyslexia.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of tDCS for dyslexia, similar neurostimulation approaches have shown promise in other cognitive and learning disorders.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Italian speakers right-handed children and adolescents with dyslexia (DSM-5, APA 2013); * Word/nonword/text reading accuracy and/or speed at least 2 Standard Deviations below the mean for school-age; * nv IQ ≥ 85; * normal hearing and normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a comorbidity with other primary psychiatric/neurological diagnosis (e.g., depression, anxiety, autism, ADHD); * Having a personal history of neurological/medical/genetic diseases; * Having ongoing drug treatment influencing brain function; * Having epilepsy o family history of epilepsy.
Where this trial is running
Roma
- Bambino Gesù Hospital and Research Institute — Roma, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Deny Menghini
- Email: deny.menghini@opbg.net
- Phone: 06.6859.2875
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.