Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Aphasia After Stroke

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder. Stroke is the most common cause of aphasia, which affects 30% of stroke survivors. Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) can help people with aphasia but it may not be provided at the required intensity. Access to therapy is often limited after the first few months following stroke. People with aphasia can improve with therapy many years after stroke but these benefits have not been found to translate to day to day conversation. Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive technique which involves stimulating a branch of the vagus nerve through the skin of the ear, using a small earpiece. This technique is safe and has been approved for use in headache. There is promising evidence that tVNS can improve motor rehabilitation in chronic stroke. This technique may be helpful in aiding language recovery in individuals with chronic aphasia. The current pilot study will primarily assess the feasibility, safety and tolerability of self-directed tVNS paired with computer-based SLT, in individuals with chronic stroke-related aphasia. Secondly, the study aims to explore the effect of the intervention on word-finding ability and to explore potential mechanisms of action. Participants will be randomly allocated to an active or sham tVNS group. Participants will be asked to use the stimulation device at home for 6 weeks, whilst completing computer-based SLT. To date, there are no published studies exploring the use of tVNS in aphasia. An indication of study feasibility may support the development of a larger RCT to explore treatment efficacy.

What you commit to

• Study type: Interventional
• Planned participants: 36
• From 25 Apr 2024 to the primary completion date, 3 Jun 2026
• 1 site in 1 country
• Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

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Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Who the study is looking for

Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

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