Speech Therapy for Aphasia
(SpARc Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+2 other locations

Overseen byLeonardo Bonilha, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

After a stroke, many people experience a language impairment called aphasia. One of the most debilitating types of aphasia is non-fluent aphasia. Non-fluent aphasia is defined by significantly reduced speech production, with the speaker producing only a few words or even less. Speech entrainment therapy (SET) is a treatment that has been shown to increase fluency in people with non-fluent aphasia. The study looks to define the best dose of SET that leads to sustained improvements in spontaneous speech production. Participants who are eligible will undergo baseline language testing, an MRI, and will be randomized into one of 4 treatment groups: SET for 3 weeks, SET for 4.5 weeks, SET for 6 weeks, and no treatment (control group).

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 21-81 who have non-fluent aphasia due to a left hemisphere stroke, can speak English, and are at least 6 months post-stroke. They must not be pregnant, have severe dysarthria or global aphasia, uncorrectable vision/hearing issues, contraindications to MRI scans, or a history of right-hemisphere strokes or chronic neurological/psychiatric diseases.

Inclusion Criteria

I can walk and take care of myself after my stroke.

English is my primary language.

I have difficulty speaking but can understand well.

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Exclusion Criteria

You have difficulty speaking and understanding language.

You have permanent hearing loss that cannot be fixed.

I have a vision problem that cannot be fixed.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

No Therapy (Other)
Speech Entrainment Therapy (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests Speech Entrainment Therapy (SET) for improving speech in people with non-fluent aphasia after a stroke. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive SET for either 3 weeks, 4.5 weeks, or 6 weeks; there's also a control group that receives no therapy for comparison.

Participant Groups

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: SET (Speech Entrainment Therapy) 6 weeksExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group II: SET (Speech Entrainment Therapy) 4.5 weeksExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group III: SET (Speech Entrainment Therapy) 3 weeksExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group IV: No Therapy 6 weeksExperimental Treatment1 Intervention