Clinical Trial: Brain Stimulation and Aphasia Treatment

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Aphasia Treatment Outcomes

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the changes in language processing of patients with chronic, post-stroke aphasia following the application of brain stimulation. The brain stimulation the investigators administer is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). It involves passing a weak electrical current through the brain between two electrodes in the form of damp sponges. One sponge will be placed over a specified area on the damaged left hemisphere, while the other sponge will be placed on the right scalp. Computer-controlled speech-language treatment will be administered during the application of tDCS.

Detailed Summary: Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Approximately one-third of all strokes result in acute language impairment (aphasia), with approximately one-fifth suffering from chronic aphasia. Unfortunately, the prognosis for moderate to severe chronic aphasia remains grim, as current behavioral treatment approaches usually offer only limited-to-modest benefit. Recent advancements in understanding the relationship between low current electrical brain stimulation and cortical plasticity suggest that the effect of behavioral aphasia treatment could possibly be enhanced using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (A-tDCS). Indeed, we have shown how A-tDCS can significantly boost the effect of behavioral aphasia treatment. Based on these results as well as our other studies aimed at understanding how favorable brain plasticity correlates with positive treatment outcome in aphasia, we propose to conduct a Phase II clinical trial utilizing a futility design. Consistent with the goals of Program Announcement PAR-08-204 by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), we plan to "evaluate whether there is sufficient evidence of short term improvement in humans to justify a phase III trial."
Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Current Primary Outcome: Correct Naming on the Philadelphia Naming Test [ Time Frame: Immediately post-treatment and at follow-up ]

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: University of South Carolina

Dates:
Date Received: September 7, 2012
Date Started: April 2012
Date Completion: July 2017
Last Updated: May 30, 2017
Last Verified: May 2017