Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Treatment Outcomes With tDCS in Post-Stroke Aphasia

United States50 participantsStarted 2019-09-03

Plain-language summary

The purpose this study is to test the utility of pairing external neuromodulation with behavioral language treatment to boost therapy outcomes and to investigate the mechanisms associated with recovery. Because all PWA have word retrieval deficits, this project will test if greater language gains can be achieved by supplementing anomia intervention with excitatory brain stimulation to the left hemisphere and will evaluate associated functional brain changes to aid the optimization of neural reorganization to facilitate language processing.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Presence of post-stroke aphasia * Single left hemisphere stroke etiology * At least 6 months post-stroke * Age range between 18 and 80 years old * Speak English as a native language * Adequate hearing and vision to complete the tasks Exclusion Criteria: * Severe auditory comprehension deficits (determined by pretest) (i.e., global aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, transcortical sensory aphasia) * Inability to provide informed consent * Co-occurring history of neurological disease/disorder/injury (e.g., traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere stroke, dementia) * Co-occurring history of a major mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, drug addiction, bipolar) * Clinical conditions contraindicated for MRI or tDCS (e.g., implanted electrical devices, claustrophobia, seizure disorder) * Positive pregnancy test (for females)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in correct naming of nouns on Philadelphia Naming Test.

Timeframe: Immediately after 1st and 2nd treatment phases and at 10 follow up after study completion

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03929432

SponsorUniversity of Arkansas

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-08

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Aphasia trials