Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Stuttering

Overseen By Julio Hernandez Pavon, Ph.D., DSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Kansas State University

Must not be taking: Seizure-risk drugs, Recreational drugs

Disqualifiers: Pacemaker, Metal in body, Epilepsy, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

Duration: 2 weeks

2 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if repeated transcranial magnetic stimuli (rTMS) can treat stuttering in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Will there be changes in the brains of people who stutter because of the treatment?

* Will any changes in the brain result in less stuttering?

Participants will:

* Visit the lab 3 times before treatment for tests

* Complete 10 rTMS sessions

* Visit the lab 2 times after treatment for tests

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kristin Pelczarski, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Kansas State University

Julio Hernandez Pavon, Ph.D., DSc

Principal Investigator

Kansas State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who have developed stuttering. Participants must be able to attend multiple lab visits and complete a series of rTMS sessions. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to meet certain health standards and not have conditions that exclude them from safely receiving rTMS.

Inclusion Criteria

Right-handed or left-handed

Self-identifies as a person who currently stutters

I am between 18 and 65 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Pre-existing speech, language, or neurological disorder (except for stuttering)

Significant claustrophobia; Ménière's disease

Failure to perform the behavioral tasks or neuropsychological evaluation tests

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Pre-treatment

Participants undergo MRI and rsfMRI recordings and a neuronavigational session to prepare for TMS treatment

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive 10 sessions of rTMS targeting the left inferior frontal gyrus

2 weeks

10 visits (in-person)

Post-treatment

Participants undergo post-treatment assessments including rs-EEG and eye tracking

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in stuttering and phonological processing

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Trial Overview

The study is testing whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can help reduce stuttering in adults. It involves initial assessments, ten treatment sessions with rTMS, and follow-up tests to see if there are any changes in brain activity or speech fluency.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to treat stuttering Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

There is only one arm to this study. All participants will receive 10 days of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to specific cortical speech and motor areas.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kansas State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

39

Recruited

13,400+