Using brain stimulation to improve language skills in people with chronic aphasia after a stroke
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) With Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in Chronic Aphasia
NA · City University of New York · NCT04142866
This study is testing if a brain stimulation treatment combined with speech therapy can help improve language skills in people who have chronic aphasia after a stroke.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | City University of New York (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT04142866 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with speech-language therapy on language abilities in individuals with chronic aphasia resulting from a stroke. Participants will undergo behavioral assessments and brain scans before and after an 8-week therapy period, during which they will receive tDCS twice a week. The study aims to determine if the brain stimulation enhances the effectiveness of the therapy by measuring changes in language performance. Participants will be screened for eligibility based on their medical history and ability to complete required tasks.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include right-handed individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia who are not currently receiving other speech therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications for MRI or tDCS, such as those with a history of seizures or certain medical devices, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve language recovery in patients with chronic aphasia, enhancing their communication abilities.
How similar studies have performed: While the combination of tDCS and speech therapy is a relatively novel approach, similar studies have shown promising results in enhancing language recovery in aphasia.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
This study recruits individuals with post-stroke aphasia as well as a group of healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, and education. INCLUSION Criteria: * Right handed (pre-stroke for participants with aphasia) * High school education or equivalent * Native English fluency without early 2nd language exposure (before age 10) * Ability to perform the required discourse and MRI tasks (determined via in-person screening) Additional INCLUSION Criteria for participants with APHASIA: * Single-event left hemisphere stroke \> 6 months prior to enrollment * Aphasia diagnosis per Western Aphasia Battery-Revised * Not receiving any other speech therapy for the entire study period (20 weeks) * Ability to perform the required therapy tasks (determined via in-person screening) EXCLUSION Criteria: * Failed vision or hearing screening * MRI contraindications (including pacemaker) * Pregnancy * History of seizure or change in seizure medication in past 12 months * History of speech/language, psychiatric, or neurological disorder, or current serious medical condition (except chronic stroke comorbidities for participants with aphasia) Additional EXCLUSION criteria for participants with APHASIA are: * Unmodifiable hair style precluding scalp contact by electrodes * Sensitive scalp by self-report
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- City University of New York — New York, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: E. Susan Duncan, PhD, CCC-SLP — City University of New York
- Study coordinator: E. Susan Duncan, PhD, CCC-SLP
- Email: esduncan@gc.cuny.edu
- Phone: 212 817 8804
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: Aphasia, Stroke, aphasia, stroke, tDCS, language, stimulation, brain