Using tDCS in Speech-based Stroke Rehabilitation
Key facts
- Where
- New York and White Plains, United StatesSee the 2 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 99 years old?
Where in United States
- New York University School of MedicineNew York, United StatesTaking people
- Burke Rehabilitation HospitalWhite Plains, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- NYU Langone Health
- Trial code
- NCT03452202
- Record updated
- 3 June 2026
- Original description
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the effect of treatment for acquired speech impairment can be enhanced by combining effective behavioral treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which delivers low-intensity current to the scalp, and is a safe and well-tolerated approach that poses a non-significant risk to participants. tDCS provides low intensity neural stimulation which has been shown to facilitate motor learning in other domains of stroke rehabilitation such as arm motor learning but the potential to enhance speech motor learning has not been explored. This will be examined with a series of single-case experimental designs.Read full original descriptionShow less
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the effect of treatment for acquired speech impairment can be enhanced by combining effective behavioral treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which delivers low-intensity current to the scalp, and is a safe and well-tolerated approach that poses a non-significant risk to participants. tDCS provides low intensity neural stimulation which has been shown to facilitate motor learning in other domains of stroke rehabilitation such as arm motor learning but the potential to enhance speech motor learning has not been explored. This will be examined with a series of single-case experimental designs.
Inclusion: Right-handed; Monolingual (English); Single left-hemisphere CVA; A minimum of six months post-stroke; Clinical diagnosis of apraxia of speech; Normal speech perception; Passing score on the hearing screening.
Exclusion: History of speech impairment prior to CVA; Presence of electrically or magnetically activated implant (including pacemaker); Diagnosis of laryngeal voice disorder; history of medication-resistant epilepsy in the family; past history of seizures or unexplained spells of loss of consciousness; Dysarthria; Presence of potential tDCS risk factors: damaged skin at site of stimulation; metal in any part of their body.