Using brain stimulation to improve language skills after stroke

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This research investigates the use of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to enhance language abilities in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. Participants will receive either active or sham tACS while undergoing various language tests. The study aims to compare the brain responses of individuals with aphasia to those of age-matched healthy controls, focusing on the effects of tACS on language performance and brain activity. The researchers hypothesize that tACS will improve language abilities and alter brain connectivity in those with aphasia compared to controls.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria for Persons with Aphasia:

1. Presence of aphasia
2. Suffered a single, left hemisphere stroke
3. Stroke ≥6 months old (chronic) at the time of enrollment

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:

1. Right-handedness
2. Must be able to understand the nature of the study, and give informed consent

Exclusion criteria for Persons with Aphasia:

1. Inability to understand the nature of the study
2. Marked naming impairment
3. Impaired non-verbal, conceptual processing
4. History of significant medical or neurological disorder (other than stroke)
5. History of significant or poorly controlled psychiatric disorders
6. Current abuse of alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise
7. Nursing a child, pregnancy, or intent to become pregnant during the study
8. Clinically significant hearing loss
9. Contraindications to tACS
10. Contraindications to MRI

Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls

1. Diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease or clinically significant cognitive complaint
2. Any unrelated neurologic or physical condition that impairs communication ability
3. History of unrelated neurological conditions including but not limited to traumatic brain injury, stroke, or small vessel disease that has resulted in a neurologic deficit
4. Any additional neurological condition that would likely reduce the safety of study participation, including central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, intracranial tumor, intracranial aneurysm, multiple sclerosis or arteriovenous malformations
5. A medically unstable cardiopulmonary or metabolic disorder
6. Terminal illness associated with survival \<12 months
7. Major active psychiatric illness that may interfere with required study procedures or treatments as determined by the enrolling physician
8. Current abuse of alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise
9. Contraindications to tACS
10. Contraindications to MRI

Where it's running

• University of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Daniela Sacchetti, MS
• Email: danielas@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Phone: 215 573 4336

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Language Therapy to Improve Mild Aphasia

  This study is testing whether combining brain stimulation with speech therapy can help people with mild aphasia after a stroke improve their speaking and understanding skills.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · NCT06842745

• Tailoring rTMS for Post-Stroke Aphasia Based on Language Profile

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  Recruiting University of South Carolina · Columbia, South Carolina · NCT07608588

• 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.

  Recruiting Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare · Pomona, California · NCT07535788

• Decoding Mandarin speech features from brain-surface signals

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  Recruiting Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine · Hangzhou, Zhejiang · NCT07460037

• 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.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Phase 2 Seoul National University Bundang Hospital · Seongnam-si and 2 other locations · NCT07397923

• High-intensity exercise to improve recovery after post-stroke aphasia

  This tests whether a 12-week high-intensity group exercise program helps people with post-stroke aphasia improve physical fitness, language, thinking, and mood compared with low-intensity exercise.

  Recruiting at 4 sites University of California, Berkeley · Berkeley, California and 3 other locations · NCT07281313

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.