Evaluating Anodal tDCS Preceding Aphasia Therapy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation) delivered prior to language therapy will improve word-finding in individuals with aphasia who are 6 months or greater post-stroke.

Official Title
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Evaluating Anodal tDCS Preceding Aphasia Therapy

Conditions
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Stroke, Aphasia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: transcranial direct current stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: ≥ 18 years of age First single focal unilateral left hemisphere lesion with diagnosis verified by brain imaging (MRI or CT scans) that occurred at least 6 months prior Pre-morbidly right handed Pre-morbidly fluent English speaker Cognitive function sufficient to understand the experiments and follow instructions (per interview with Speech Pathologist) A baseline Aphasia Quotient score between 10 to 94 out of 100 points on the Western Aphasia Battery (neither completely without language comprehension/expression nor fully recovered from aphasia). Exclusion Criteria: Ongoing use of CNS-active medications Ongoing use of psychoactive medications, such as stimulants, antidepressants, and anti-psychotic medications Presence of additional potential tDCS risk factors: Damaged skin at the site of stimulation (i.e., skin with ingrown hairs, acne, razor nicks, wounds that have not healed, recent scar tissue, broken skin, etc.) Presence of an electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implant (including cardiac pacemaker), an intracerebral vascular clip, or any other electrically sensitive support system Metal in any part of the body, including metal injury to the eye (jewelry must be removed during stimulation) A history of medication-resistant epilepsy in the family Past history of seizures or unexplained spells of loss of consciousness during the previous 36 months Pregnancy in women, as determined by self-report

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: All participants received both stimulation conditions (active tDCS + computerized naming therapy and sham tDCS + computerized naming therapy), separated by a 1-week washout period.
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: anodal tDCS, then sham tDCS<br>Participants received 1 single 20 min session of anodal tDCS + computerized naming therapy. Following a 1 week washout period, they received 1 single 20 min session of sham tDCS + computerized aphasia therapy. Sequence of stimulation conditions was randomized across participants. | Device: transcranial direct current stimulation<br>* Soterix 1x1 anodal tDCS<br>|
| Experimental: sham tDCS, then anodal tDCS<br>Participants received 1 single 20 min session of sham tDCS + computerized naming therapy. Following a 1 week washout period, they received 1 single 20 min session of anodal tDCS + computerized aphasia therapy. Sequence of stimulation conditions was randomized across participants. | Device: transcranial direct current stimulation<br>* Soterix 1x1 anodal tDCS<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mean Change in Picture-naming Accuracy Score | The mean change in verbal picture-naming accuracy score (out of 75) was calculated from baseline to discharge in each condition (sham and active tDCS). | baseline, discharge | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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tDCS, stroke, aphasia, CVA, apraxia, cerebrovascular accident, cerebral stroke, speech therapy, aphasia therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation