Rhythm-Based Therapy for Aphasia
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Every year, approximately 100,000 people are diagnosed with aphasia-a language disorder leading to substantial difficulties in their daily communication. Based on the observation that many people with aphasia can sing words that they otherwise cannot speak, melodic intonation therapy (MIT) was developed in the 1970s. Although recognized as a standard aphasia treatment, the neural mechanisms of MIT have been largely unexplored.Our first goal is to identify the active ingredient of the music intervention. Although rhythm has long been considered secondary to melody, recent evidence has challenged this notion by demonstrating that rhythm alone is sufficient enough to facilitate improvements in speech fluency for people with aphasia. To corroborate the positive role of rhythm, we will train aphasic patients to leverage "rhythmic groove" for sets of sentences/phrases delivered through a fun and engaging video gaming platform. This intervention emerges from the theoretical framework, built from neuroimaging data, that language processes heavily rely on neural resources within the sensorimotor and fronto-striatal circuits that subserve rhythm/timing processes.Our second goal is to characterize the neural plasticity associated with language recovery promoted by the novel rhythm-based therapy. We hypothesize that neuroplasticity will manifest itself as increased white matter tracts, presumably due to changes in myelination in either ipsilateral or contralateral (homologues) language areas. To effectively measure myelin white matter fraction (MWF) in candidate tracts, we will mainly use a patented Laplace-transformed relaxation MRI technique. Additionally, we will measure resting-state functional connectivity using BOLD (Blood Oxygen-Level Dependent) fMRI. Lastly, we will attempt to record cortical activity using fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) during the pre-post behavioral assessments.Taken together, the proposed interdisciplinary research has theoretical, methodological, and clinical innovations and significance. This exploratory work will serve as a critical stepping stone toward unraveling the therapeutic component of music in neurological disorders and will provide evidence-based guidance to the clinicians and therapists.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals who have aphasia, a language disorder, after experiencing a stroke at least six months ago. Participants should be able to move their left side and name some items but must not have other neurological diseases.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive rhythm-based language therapy using the TheraBeat game for aphasia treatment
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Rhythm-based Intervention
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Ohio State University
Lead Sponsor
The University of Texas at Dallas
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator