Using brain stimulation to improve language recovery in stroke patients with aphasia
Official title: TACS for the Recovery of Phonological STM After Stroke
Run by Medical College of Wisconsin · NCT06048159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether a new brain stimulation technique can help stroke survivors with aphasia improve their language skills when combined with speech therapy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medical College of Wisconsin Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 6, 2023 |
| Main results expected | January 2033 |
| Study ends | January 2033 |
| Registry record updated | July 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06048159 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have experienced a left hemisphere stroke and are fluent in English.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe cognitive impairments, major psychiatric diseases, or contraindications to brain stimulation methods will 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 investigates the effects of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) on language recovery in stroke survivors suffering from aphasia. Aphasia, often resulting from left hemisphere stroke, impairs communication abilities, and current treatments offer limited benefits. The study employs a double-blinded, sham-controlled design, combining HD-tACS with targeted language therapy to enhance phonological short-term memory. By restoring neural oscillatory activity and improving brain connectivity, the study aims to provide a novel approach to aphasia rehabilitation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance language recovery and communication abilities in stroke patients with aphasia.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of tACS is relatively novel, preliminary studies suggest potential benefits in enhancing cognitive functions, indicating a promising avenue for aphasia treatment.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with left hemisphere stroke/aphasia * Consent date \>= 1 month after stroke onset * Fluent in English * 18 years of age or older Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive, auditory or visual impairments that would preclude cognitive and language testing * Presence of major untreated or unstable psychiatric disease * A chronic medical condition that is not treated or is unstable * The presence of cardiac stimulators or pacemakers * Contraindications to MRI or tACS, e.g. patients with metallic implants, and/or history of skull fractures, pregnancy, skin diseases * History of ongoing or unmanaged seizures * History of dyslexia or other developmental learning disabilities
Where it's running
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Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sidney E Schoenrock, MA
- Email: sschoenrock@mcw.edu
- Phone: 414-955-7579
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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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.
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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.