NCT05303649Recruiting
Effects of Neuronavigated Theta Burst Stimulation in Therapy of Post-stroke Aphasia
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 31 Mar 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Aphasia is an impairment in the ability to express and/or understand language, commonly observed after stroke to the language dominant (left) hemisphere. Despite natural tendency to spontaneous functional recovery in the first months post stroke and language improvement due to application of behavioral speech and language therapy (SLT), many aphasic patients do not achieve satisfactory level of verbal communication. The aim of the planned study is to explore the potential of the noninvasive repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as a therapeutic tool for aphasia in addition to traditional behavioral therapy. In case of aphasia, studies on therapeutic effectiveness of rTMS aim to increase the activity of the language-dominant left cerebral hemisphere, which may be achieved in an indirect manner by inhibiting the activity of the opposite (right) hemisphere or in a direct manner by increasing the excitability of preserved language areas in the left hemisphere. In our study, we plan to administer the newest form of rTMS called Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS), which is safer than the conventional rTMS, even when used in the perilesional area. Computer-based neuronavigation system will be implemented to precisely localize stimulation targets, control administration of stimuli during rTMS sessions, and evaluate differences between participants regarding deviations from established stimulation points. 45 patients (all right-handed, polish native speakers, aged 18-75 years, diagnosed with non-fluent aphasia) will be enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) a group with excitatory intermittent TBS of the left hemisphere (iTBS group), 2) a group with inhibitory continuous TBS of the right hemisphere (cTBS group), 3) a group with sham TBS (sTBS group as a control group). Specific forms of stimulation will be carried out for three consecutive weeks (Monday to Friday; a total of 15 stimulation sessions). Immediately after each session of the stimulation, patients will undergo individual SLT. Assessment of language functioning will be carried out three times: before and after the therapy period, and 3 months after its completion. Results of the study will broaden knowledge about hemispherical mechanisms of language and speech recovery after stroke and provide insight into possibilities of their modulation for the purpose of post-stroke rehabilitation.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 45 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 22 Mar 2022
- Start date
- 2 Sept 2022
- Primary completion date
- Dec 2027
- Lead sponsor
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw
- Diseases
- Stroke
- NCT number
- NCT05303649
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 45
- From 2 Sept 2022 to the primary completion date, Dec 2027
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Regular intake of medication that could affect cortical excitability (e. g. antiepileptic or antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, benzodiazepines) or medication influencing neuroplastic processes (e. g. dopamine)
Other illness
- Psychiatric and/or neurological comorbidity (e. g. dementia, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence)
- Diagnose of epilepsy or epileptic changes in EEG, also frequent losses of consciousness of unclear etiology which might suggest epileptic seizures
- History of any neurosurgical procedure around the head area
- Significant cognitive impairment limiting patient's cooperation during assessment and behavioral aphasia therapy
- New neurological episode (e. g. another brain stroke) or somatic illness (e. g. COVID-19) during the cycle of the therapy, requiring its interruption.
Other
- 1.5 T MRI examination contraindications (metal elements in the body, e. g. implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, deep brain stimulation devices; claustrophobia)
- Visual deficits significantly hindering the perception of therapeutic tasks presented visually on a computer's screen
Who the study is looking for
- First-ever left middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke (brain damage localization confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, MRI)
- 3 or more months from the onset of stroke
- Non-fluent aphasia (confirmed in the BDAE test) with functional communication difficulties ranging from mild to significant (grades from 2 to 4 in ASRS), marked difficulties in naming, and relatively preserved everyday speech comprehension
- Native Polish speaker
- Right-handedness prior to stroke
- Signing of the informed consent for the participation in the study.
Age in the registry: 18 years to 75 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Save your city in your profile to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Warsaw | Poland | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.