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tDCS + Speech-Language Therapy for Aphasia (AphasiatDCS Trial)
N/A
Recruiting
Led By Jessica Richardson, Ph.D.
Research Sponsored by University of New Mexico
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial Must have
Aged 25-85
Must have a diagnosis of aphasia based on impaired performance on the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised, Boston Naming Test, or during discourse production
Must not have
Comorbid neurological disease
Damage to the anterior right hemisphere
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 3 months
Summary
This trial uses a non-invasive brain stimulation technique combined with speech therapy to help stroke patients with Aphasia improve their communication skills. The brain stimulation aims to enhance the effects of language therapy by making the brain's language areas work better together. This technique has shown promise in improving language recovery in post-stroke aphasia.
Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals aged 25-85 who are more than a year post-stroke and have aphasia, which affects their language abilities. They must show left-hemisphere brain damage and be responsive to naming tasks. People with other neurological diseases, right hemisphere damage, mood disorders, recent substance abuse, electrical implants that interfere with tDCS or MRI scans, medical instability or pregnancy cannot participate.
What is being tested?
The study tests if targeted Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can improve speech-language therapy outcomes in people with chronic aphasia after a stroke. Participants will receive either active cathodal tDCS or placebo alongside language training for 15 days to see which is more effective.
What are the potential side effects?
While the document doesn't specify side effects of tDCS in this context, common ones may include mild itching, tingling at the electrode site during stimulation, headache or fatigue afterwards. Serious side effects are rare.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria belowSelect...
I am between 25 and 85 years old.
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I have been diagnosed with aphasia.
Exclusion Criteria
You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:Select...
I have a neurological condition.
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I have damage to the front right part of my brain.
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I do not have any implanted electrical devices and can undergo tDCS or MRI.
Timeline
Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~ 3 months
Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~3 months
Treatment Details
Study Objectives
Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.Primary study objectives
Naming Efficiency of trained items
Naming Response Time of trained items Scales - IV (WAIS-IV; Wechsler, Coalson, & Railford, 2008)
Picture Naming of trained items
Secondary study objectives
Discourse informativeness - Main Concept Production
Efficiency of discourse informativeness - Main Concept Production
Naming Efficiency of untrained items - Boston Naming Test
+2 moreTrial Design
2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Experimental: Active cathodal tDCS + Speech-language trainingActive Control1 Intervention
In this arm, 31 patients with stroke induced Aphasia will undergo 15 sessions of active tDCS (x 30 minutes of stimulation) combined with 1 hour simultaneous speech-language training on consecutive weekdays.
Group II: Comparator: Placebo cathodal tDCS + Speech-language trainingPlacebo Group1 Intervention
In this arm, 31 patients with stroke induced Aphasia will undergo 15 sessions of sham tDCS (x 30 minutes sham) combined with 1 hour simultaneous speech-language training on consecutive weekdays..
Research Highlights
Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique that applies a low electrical current to specific brain regions, such as the right Inferior Frontal Gyrus, to modulate neuronal activity. This stimulation can enhance synaptic plasticity and improve language function, which is crucial for aphasia patients who have impaired language abilities due to brain injury.
By targeting areas involved in language processing, tDCS can facilitate better communication skills and overall cognitive function, offering a promising adjunct to traditional speech-language therapy.
Find a Location
Who is running the clinical trial?
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)NIH
354 Previous Clinical Trials
181,685 Total Patients Enrolled
28 Trials studying Stroke
2,039 Patients Enrolled for Stroke
National Institutes of Health (NIH)NIH
2,826 Previous Clinical Trials
8,169,576 Total Patients Enrolled
44 Trials studying Stroke
8,461 Patients Enrolled for Stroke
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)NIH
297 Previous Clinical Trials
248,955 Total Patients Enrolled
12 Trials studying Stroke
308 Patients Enrolled for Stroke
Media Library
Eligibility Criteria:
This trial includes the following eligibility criteria:- It has been over a year since I had a stroke.I am between 25 and 85 years old.I have not had any serious health changes in the last 4 weeks.I have a neurological condition.You have struggled with drug or alcohol problems in the last year.I have damage to the front right part of my brain.You must have difficulty speaking and understanding language due to damage on the left side of your brain.Must be able to remember and say the names of things.I have been diagnosed with aphasia.You have a serious mood disorder.I do not have any implanted electrical devices and can undergo tDCS or MRI.
Research Study Groups:
This trial has the following groups:- Group 1: Experimental: Active cathodal tDCS + Speech-language training
- Group 2: Comparator: Placebo cathodal tDCS + Speech-language training
Awards:
This trial has 0 awards, including:Timeline:
This trial has the following timeline:- Screening: It may take up to 3 Weeks to process to see if you qualify in this trial.
- Treatment: The duration you will receive the treatment varies.
- Follow Ups: You may be asked to continue sharing information regarding the trial for 6 Months after you stop receiving the treatment.