Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Intensive Therapy in Aphasia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Intensive therapy for aphasia has been demonstrated to improve language functioning after stroke or other neurological injury. However, recovery is generally not complete and new therapies are needed to improve outcomes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve outcomes with motor therapy after stroke. This study will examine the feasibility of using tDCS with intensive language therapy as a way of enhancing language outcomes in aphasia

Detailed Description
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Intensive therapy for aphasia has been demonstrated to improve language functioning after stroke or other neurological injury. However, recovery is generally not complete and new therapies are needed to improve outcomes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve outcomes with motor therapy after stroke. This study will examine the feasibility of using tDCS supplementing clinically determined intensive language therapy as a way of enhancing language outcomes in aphasia. Eligible clients enrolled in the University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP) will be invited to participate in the study. Clients will receive 20 minutes of tDCS every day along with their usual treatment protocol. Pre and post testing will be completed to assess for improvement in language functioning. This is a feasibility and proof of concept study to determine if a randomized control trial should be pursued

Official Title
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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Intensive Therapy in Aphasia

Conditions
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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: Diagnosis of aphasia Enrolled in intensive therapy program at the University of Michigan Aphasia Program. Ability to understand and give consent to treatment. Exclusion Criteria: No metal implants or surgical devices History of seizures History of significant cognitive or psychiatric disturbance Participant cannot be pregnant at the time of study

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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: All eligible participants with aphasia will receive the tDCS
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: transcranial Direct Current Stimulation<br>tDCS will be given to all qualified patients with aphasia. | Device: transcranial direct current stimulation<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Controlled Oral Word Fluency | This test assesses the number of words that can be generated in one minute that begin with certain letters. The total number of words generated for three letters is derived. Higher scores represent better performance. Changes in word fluency were calculated as follows: number of words generated post tDCS minus number of words generated pre tDCS | baseline and 4 weeks | 
| Change in Boston Naming Score | This test assesses confrontational naming ability to 60 line drawings. Scores range from 0-60 with higher scores representing better performance. Outcome was derived as followed : Picture naming score post tDCS minus picture naming score pre tDCS | baseline and 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Western Aphasia Quotient Score | severity of aphasia is measured by the Western Aphasia Battery Revised. The Aphasia Quotient (AQ) score ranges from 0-100, with 100 being a perfect score. Change in the AQ was derived as follows : AQ post tDCS minus AQ pre tDCS | baseline and 4 weeks |