Brain Stimulation for Traumatic Brain Injury

(STIM-CTBI Trial)

Overseen by Hsueh-Sheng Chiang, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to learn more about how brain stimulation affects word finding problems in people who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The type of brain stimulation used is called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS delivers low levels of electric current to the brain and high definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) delivers the current with multiple electrodes on the scalp. This current is delivered with HD-tDCS to parts of the brain that may help with remembering things. The investigators hope that this can help to improve word finding and memory problems in people with TBI.

Research Team

Hsueh-Sheng Chiang, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18-85 with a non-military traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least one year old, who have trouble finding words. They must be able to consent and travel to the study center. Excluded are those with substance abuse, major psychiatric or heart conditions, severe sensory/physical impairments, recent severe depression or neurologic issues, pregnancy, or ongoing speech therapy they don't want to pause.

Inclusion Criteria

Fluent in speaking and reading English

I am between 18 and 85 years old.

Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Current substance use disorder

Lifetime major psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)

I do not have any major or active heart conditions.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which sends low electric currents via scalp electrodes to the brain can improve word recall in TBI patients. Participants will receive either active tDCS or a sham (placebo) treatment without knowing which one they're getting.

Participant Groups

Group I: Sham to Active transcranial direct current stimulation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects in this arm will first be randomly assigned to receive sham stimulation. After completion of sham stimulation, subjects will be assigned to active stimulation.

Group II: Active to Sham Transcranial direct current stimulation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects in this arm will first be randomly assigned to receive active stimulation. After completion of active stimulation, subjects will be assigned to sham stimulation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

872

Recruited

12,930,000+

Dr. Kevin Tabb

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Chief Executive Officer since 2021

MD from Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School

Dr. Chi Chang Daniel Siao

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from King George’s Medical University