Brain stimulation with speech therapy for language loss after stroke
Tests weak brain stimulation during speech therapy in adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) With Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in Chronic Aphasia
Key facts
- Where
- New York, United StatesSee the site
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 21 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT04142866, who can take part
Where in United States
- City University of New YorkNew York, 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
- City University of New York
- Trial code
- NCT04142866
- Record updated
- 7 January 2025
- Original description
The purpose of this study is to assess changes in language abilities of participants with chronic, post-stroke aphasia following an 8-week therapy period combined with brain stimulation. The investigators use a stimulation method called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The investigators cover two electrodes in damp sponges, place them on the scalp, and pass a weak electrical current between them. Some of this current passes through the brain and can change brain activity. One electrode is placed over language areas a bit above and in front of the left ear. The other is placed on the forehead above the right eye. Stimulation is provided twice a week for 8 weeks during aphasia therapy. The investigators believe that this stimulation may increase the effectiveness of therapy.Read full original descriptionShow less
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) With Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in Chronic Aphasia
The purpose of this study is to assess changes in language abilities of participants with chronic, post-stroke aphasia following an 8-week therapy period combined with brain stimulation. The investigators use a stimulation method called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The investigators cover two electrodes in damp sponges, place them on the scalp, and pass a weak electrical current between them. Some of this current passes through the brain and can change brain activity. One electrode is placed over language areas a bit above and in front of the left ear. The other is placed on the forehead above the right eye. Stimulation is provided twice a week for 8 weeks during aphasia therapy. The investigators believe that this stimulation may increase the effectiveness of therapy.
Inclusion: Right handed (pre-stroke for participants with aphasia); High school education or equivalent; Native English fluency without early 2nd language exposure (before age 10); Ability to perform the required discourse and MRI tasks (determined via in-person screening); Additional INCLUSION Criteria for participants with APHASIA:; Single-event left hemisphere stroke > 6 months prior to enrollment; Aphasia diagnosis per Western Aphasia Battery-Revised; Not receiving any other speech therapy for the entire study period (20 weeks); Ability to perform the required therapy tasks (determined via in-person screening).
Exclusion: History of seizure or change in seizure medication in past 12 months; History of speech/language, psychiatric, or neurological disorder, or current serious medical condition (except chronic stroke comorbidities for participants with aphasia); Additional EXCLUSION criteria for participants with APHASIA are:; Failed vision or hearing screening; MRI contraindications (including pacemaker); Pregnancy; Unmodifiable hair style precluding scalp contact by electrodes; Sensitive scalp by self-report.
This study recruits individuals with post-stroke aphasia as well as a group of healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, and education.