TMS for Speech

Overseen By Carrie Niziolek, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Must not be taking: Epileptogenic medications, Illegal drugs

Disqualifiers: Neurological disorders, Hearing disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how the brain controls speech in healthy individuals by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study brain activity. The goal is to understand how people perceive their own speech errors and learn new speech sounds, potentially aiding those with communication disorders in the future. Participants will attend four sessions, each lasting 2-4 hours. The trial seeks English-speaking adults with normal hearing and speech, no history of neurological conditions, and no metal implants or heart disease. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance future therapies for communication disorders.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on medications that increase the risk of seizures or are considered 'epileptogenic,' you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that TMS is safe for healthy adult speakers?

Research has shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is generally safe for people. Studies indicate that TMS can be used without serious side effects in both healthy individuals and those with certain conditions. For instance, one study found that TMS safely improved speech in patients with post-stroke speech problems. Another report confirmed that TMS is well-tolerated for speech therapy, without major negative effects. Overall, evidence suggests that TMS is a safe method to study how the brain controls speech. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for speech because it offers a non-invasive approach to potentially enhance speech capabilities, unlike traditional speech therapy methods. While most speech interventions rely on exercises and practice to improve articulation and fluency, TMS works by directly stimulating specific brain regions involved in speech production. This novel mechanism could lead to faster improvements in speech, making it a promising option for individuals seeking efficient alternatives to conventional therapies.

What evidence suggests that TMS is effective for understanding speech processing?

Research has shown that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can improve speech abilities. For example, studies have found that TMS enhances spontaneous speech, repetition, and reading in patients. This trial will explore the effects of TMS on healthy adult speakers across different age groups. When combined with speech therapy, TMS significantly improves conditions like anomic aphasia. Another study found that TMS, combined with speech rehabilitation, greatly boosted speech recovery after a stroke. These findings suggest TMS could effectively aid in understanding and improving speech. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carrie Niziolek, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy individuals interested in how the brain controls speech. Participants should be available for 4 visits, each lasting 2-4 hours. The eligibility criteria are not fully listed here, so potential participants would need to contact the researchers for more details.

Inclusion Criteria

I have never had a stroke or neurological conditions.

I can hear and speak normally.

Exclusion Criteria

My family has a history of epilepsy.

Vulnerable populations (minors and prisoners)

Implanted paramagnetic materials (metal clips, plates, pacemakers, etc.)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) sessions targeting the primary somatosensory cortex using iTBS, cTBS, and sham stimulation.

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in speech production and sensory adaptation after TMS sessions.

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• TMS

Trial Overview

The study is testing the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on speech processing and control during speaking tasks. It aims to understand how people perceive their own speech errors and learn new sounds.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Healthy Adult Speakers Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

healthy adult participants across the lifespan in three groups:18-35, 36-55, and 56+

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The combination of 6-Hz-primed low-frequency rTMS and intensive speech therapy was safely administered to four post-stroke patients without any adverse effects during an 11-day treatment period.

All patients showed significant improvements in language function, indicating that this treatment protocol may be an effective option for enhancing recovery in individuals with post-stroke aphasia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic application of 6-Hz-primed low-frequency rTMS combined with intensive speech therapy for post-stroke aphasia. Kakuda, W., Abo, M., Momosaki, R., et al.[2016]

In a study involving 18 subjects with major depression, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for up to 4 weeks was found to be generally safe, with no significant mean deficits in neuropsychologic function or auditory thresholds.

However, two patients experienced mild high-frequency hearing loss, indicating that while rTMS is safe for most, individual responses may vary and warrant further investigation into long-term safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a 2- to 4-week course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on neuropsychologic functioning, electroencephalogram, and auditory threshold in depressed patients. Loo, C., Sachdev, P., Elsayed, H., et al.[2019]

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to be more effective than sham rTMS and conventional rehabilitation for improving language recovery in stroke patients with aphasia, based on a meta-analysis of 28 studies involving 1287 patients.

Low-frequency rTMS specifically demonstrated greater improvements in language recovery, particularly in naming and comprehension, while high-frequency rTMS did not show significant benefits compared to sham or conventional treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on aphasia in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Zhang, J., Zhong, D., Xiao, X., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 30 participants with subacute aphasia after stroke, those who received real repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with speech therapy showed significant improvements in all 10 measures of basic linguistic skills and functional communication, compared to only 6 measures in the sham group.

This research indicates that combining rTMS with behavioral language therapy can effectively enhance communication abilities in patients with subacute aphasia, marking a promising advancement in rehabilitation strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Add-on Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Subacute Aphasia Therapy: Enhanced Improvement of Functional Communication and Basic Linguistic Skills. A Randomized Controlled Study. Rubi-Fessen, I., Hartmann, A., Huber, W., et al.[2022]

The study involving 20 stroke survivors demonstrated that combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with multi-modality aphasia therapy (M-MAT) is safe and feasible, with no adverse events reported.

While both treatment groups showed significant improvements in speech and language outcomes, there was no significant difference in effectiveness between the rTMS and sham groups, suggesting that personalized approaches may be needed based on individual lesion locations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with multi-modality aphasia therapy for chronic post-stroke non-fluent aphasia: A pilot randomized sham-controlled trial. Low, TA., Lindland, K., Kirton, A., et al.[2023]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12384709/

Efficacy of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and ...

Aggregated data from both active treatment groups showed improvements in spontaneous speech, repetition, reading, and object naming. Benefits ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04625790

Speech Therapy and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic ...

The aim of the study is to observe the effects of speech therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy in patients who develop anomic aphasia after ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0303846725001167

Effects of speech rehabilitation training combined with ...

Speech rehabilitation training combined with rTMS can effectively improve speech function in PSA, with remarkable rehabilitation effects.

4.

neurology.org

neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213424

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined With ...

This study provides Class III evidence that in patients with aphasia 6 or more months after a stroke, 1-Hz rTMS combined with intensive M-MAT improves WAB-AQ ...

5.

jamanetwork.com

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2837379

Long-Term Therapy With Transcranial Magnetic ...

This randomized clinical trial assesses whether long-term transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with language therapy is ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9094636/

Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects ...

Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines

7.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1614586/full

Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic ...

This study shows that rTMS can safely and effectively improve speech function in patients with post-stroke aphasia (PSA), particularly in auditory comprehension ...