Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Post-Stroke Aphasia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a randomized, crossover design trial that will compare how anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) versus sham tDCS administered during multiple sessions of scripting therapy affects the acquisition and retention of trained scripts.

Official Title
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Enhancing Aphasia Therapy With Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Stroke Patients

Conditions
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Stroke

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Aphasia therapy
* Device: Anodal tDCS
* Device: Sham tDCS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age over 21 years Ischemic left hemispheric stroke verified by imaging (CT or MRI) greater than 6 months ago Residual non-fluent or anomic aphasia, with Western Aphasia Battery-Revised Aphasia Quotient score <60 Fluent English speaker prior to stroke Right-handed prior to stroke Ability to give informed consent and understand the tasks involved. Exclusion Criteria: History of recurrent stroke, either ischemic or hemorrhagic, in the left middle cerebral artery territory Imaging unavailable Large middle cerebral artery infarct involving entire inferior division (temporo-parietal) territory History of dementia prior to the stroke History of seizure, prior electroconvulsive therapy, deep brain stimulators, or brain surgery Social and/or personal circumstances that interfere with ability to return for therapy and assessment sessions.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 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
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Anodal tDCS<br>Anodal tDCS over the left posterior language areas during aphasia therapy for 8 one-hour sessions | Behavioral: Aphasia therapy<br>* Aphasia therapy using a computerized scripting program<br>Device: Anodal tDCS<br>* Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation using the Chattanooga Ionto device<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS<br>Sham tDCS over the left posterior language areas during aphasia therapy for 8 one-hour sessions | Behavioral: Aphasia therapy<br>* Aphasia therapy using a computerized scripting program<br>Device: Sham tDCS<br>* Sham transcranial direct current stimulation using the Chattanooga Ionto device<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Percent Correct of Trained Scripts |  | From Baseline to up to 2 days post-training | 
| Change in Words Per Minute of Trained Scripts |  | From Baseline to up to 2 days post-training | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Percent Correct of Trained Scripts |  | Baseline to 2 weeks and 4 weeks post-training | 
| Change in Words Per Minute of Trained Scripts |  | Baseline to 2 weeks and 4 weeks post-training |