This phase 2 trial located in North Carolina and Washington DC aims to determine how effective high definition transcranial direct current stimulation is in patients who have language difficulties after stroke. The outcome to be measured is the ability of participants to name objects.
The details
Stroke (no enough blood supply to the brain) can cause aphasia, or difficulty with language. Some patients have problems naming objects and remembering words. Transcranial direct current stimulation is a procedure which uses low electricity currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain. It is suggested that this can help with recovery after a stroke.
The current trial will examine whether transcranial direct current stimulation can help with language recovery after a stroke. The main outcome measured will be the number of objects a participant can name following treatment.
Who are they looking for?
This study is recruiting 58 participants aged 25 to 75 years with problems with language following 1 stroke. The stroke must have been located in the left side of the brain. They should be right handed. They should have had their stroke at least 6 months prior. Participants should not be pregnant. Participants should not have previous history of seizures. Participants should not have dementia or alcohol abuse. Participants must not have any metallic implants in their bodies, and must not have claustrophobia.
How will it work
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 2 treatment groups. Participants in one treatment group will be given an individualized dose of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation. Participants in the second treatment group will receive a sham (no real effect) high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation. Prior to treatment, all patients will undergo an MRI. They will be followed for up to 6 months.
