Brain Stimulation Study for Fatigue and Language Problems After Stroke
Tests brain stimulation with speech therapy in adults with stroke-related fatigue and aphasia.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Brain Stimulation Effects on Post-Stroke Fatigue and Aphasia
Key facts
- Where
- Ann Arbor and Syracuse, United StatesSee the 2 sites
Where in United States
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, United StatesNot yet recruiting
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, 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
- Syracuse University
- Trial code
- NCT07151677
- Record updated
- 30 September 2026
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if electrical brain stimulation applied to the front parts of the brain can help people who have had a stroke improve their fatigue, language, and attention. The main question it aims to answer is:Read full original descriptionShow less
Pre-Frontal tDCS as a Novel Intervention to Reduce Effects of Post-Stroke Fatigue While Improving Language and Attention in Aphasia
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if electrical brain stimulation applied to the front parts of the brain can help people who have had a stroke improve their fatigue, language, and attention. The main question it aims to answer is:
* Does transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to the pre-frontal areas of the brain improve post-stroke fatigue and aphasia? * What kinds of participant characteristics are associated with better improvement of post-stroke fatigue and aphasia?
Researchers will compare active electrical stimulation to sham stimulation to see if the active stimulation does a better job at reducing fatigue and language deficits after stroke. Participants will be asked to complete fatigue, language, and cognitive testing before and after receiving 10 sessions of tDCS plus speech and language therapy.
Inclusion: 18 years or older; No diagnosis of neurological disorder (other than stroke); No diagnosis of psychiatric disorder, with the exception of anxiety and/or depression if it is managed through medication and/or behavioral intervention; No seizure within the past 6 months; Not pregnant; Does not currently have cardiac pacemaker; In chronic phase of recovery, defined as at least 6 months post-stroke; Not undergoing speech and language therapy targeting auditory comprehension or attention for the duration of the study; No metal implants in the scalp or bone in the pre-frontal area of the head; No unhealed skull fractures; Onset of aphasia related to single, left hemisphere, ischemic stroke; Damaged brain tissue from stroke does not overlap with left hemisphere dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; Mild to moderate aphasia (as measured by WAB-R **or QAB); Self-report of post-stroke fatigue (as measured on SF-CAT); No significant challenges with vision or hearing (with use of corrective aids if needed; eyeglasses, hearing aids); Willing to allow audio-recording of study sessions.
Exclusion: Currently undergoing speech and language therapy targeting auditory comprehension or attention; Metal implants in the scalp or bone in the pre-frontal area of the head; Diagnosis or history of neurological disorder other than stroke; Diagnosis or history of psychiatric disorder with the exception of anxiety and/or depression if it is managed through medication and/or behavioral intervention; History of seizures within the past 6 months; Currently has cardiac pacemaker; <6 months post-stroke (however, if this is only exclusionary criterion met, participant can be re-evaluated at the 6-month mark if still interested in the study); Onset of aphasia related to etiology other than ischemic left hemisphere stroke; Does not report experience of post-stroke fatigue (as measured on SF-CAT); Younger than 18 years old; Pregnant; Currently has an unhealed skull fracture; Damaged brain tissue significantly overlaps with left hemisphere dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; No aphasia or severe aphasia (as measured by WAB-R **or QAB); Significant challenges with vision and/or hearing (even with use of corrective aids); Unwilling to allow audio-recording of study sessions.