Brain Stimulation for Stuttering
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this study is to find out whether a type of noninvasive brain stimulation can help reduce speech errors, such as repetitions, blocks, and prolongations, in people who stutter. This pilot study will help researchers design future treatments to see if targeting certain brain areas can improve speech fluency. The study will look at how people speak and behave during both speaking and non-speaking tasks before and after the brain stimulation.
Participants will complete an online survey about 24 hours before coming to the clinic. The clinic visit will last about 3 hours and will include three phases. All parts of the study will be audio-recorded.
1. Pre-Testing: Participants will first complete a stuttering evaluation to determine whether they are typical speakers or have a mild, moderate, or severe stutter. Then, they will do several speaking and non-speaking tasks.
2. Brain Stimulation: Participants will receive a session of targeted noninvasive brain stimulation (HD-tDCS).
3. Post-Testing: After the brain stimulation, participants will repeat the same evaluation and tasks they completed during pre-testing.
Brain stimulation description:
HD-tDCS is a non-invasive technique that requires the placement of several sensors (metal electrodes) on a special cap and saline gel on your head. Very low levels of constant electrical current are delivered to specifically targeted areas of the brain via these electrodes. You may experience a slight feeling of dizziness when starting the stimulation. This occurs in a small number of subjects. This takes only a few seconds and does not affect balance after the stimulation has been completed. Several research centers have previously investigated the use of this device on healthy subjects and have found the device to be safe with no direct effect on the person's well-being. Following stimulation, participants will have the opportunity to rinse out residual gel from hair and scalp.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over the age of 22 who have been diagnosed with or suspected to have developmental stuttering. They must be able to visit the clinic and speak English as their dominant language, even if they are bi- or multilingual.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-Testing
Participants complete a stuttering evaluation and perform speaking and non-speaking tasks
Brain Stimulation
Participants receive a session of targeted noninvasive brain stimulation (HD-tDCS)
Post-Testing
Participants repeat the stuttering evaluation and tasks completed during pre-testing
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any delayed effects of the brain stimulation
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Trial Overview
Researchers are testing whether High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, can reduce speech errors in people who stutter by targeting specific brain areas.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
This arm is designed to investigate whether treatment targeting the motor planning region of the brain can reduce speech errors and increase ease of production in individuals who stutter.
This arm is designed to analyze if treatment on the speech production area of the brain (also known as Broca's area) will decrease speech errors and increase ease of production in people who stutter
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The University of Texas at Dallas
Lead Sponsor
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.