This trial will examine whether transcranial direct cortical stimulation (tDCS) combined with speech and language therapy (SALT) is effective treatment for stroke patients. The trial will focus on patients who have had left hemisphere ischemic stroke (LHIS) and now have aphasia (difficulty speaking). The main outcome of the trial will be a change in accuracy of naming pictures.
The details
LHIS refers to a stroke caused by a blood clot that stops blood flow to the left side of the brain. Patients commonly experience aphasia (difficulty speaking) afterwards. The most common treatment for this is SALT. tDCS involves safely delivering low current stimulation to parts of the brain using electrodes. It is possible that combining tDCS with behavioral therapy may be beneficial for patients who have had LHIS.
This trial will examine if tDCS in combination with SALT is more effective than SALT alone in patients with aphasia. The investigators will analyze whether patients can name and describe pictures better following treatment.
Who are they looking for?
This United States based trial is recruiting 50 right-handed patients with acute ischemic left hemisphere stroke, post stroke aphasia and fluent English. Stroke must have occurred within 3 months before beginning trial. Patients with previous neurological or psychiatric disease or uncorrected hearing or visual loss will not be included in the trial. Patients on medication for seizures or who have had a seizure within the past year will not be eligible. Patients must not have a history of brain surgery, metal in the head or scalp sensitivity. Patients should not be taking medication that blocks NMDA receptors.
How will it work
Patients will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will receive tDCS and SALT therapy. tDCS will involve using electrodes to deliver low currents to certain parts of the brain. SALT therapy is a computer delivered naming treatment, where the patient will match words with pictures of common objects. The second group of patients will receive SALT therapy and placebo (sham) tDCS.
Patients will be followed for up to 20 weeks after treatment.
