Speech Therapy + tDCS for Aphasia

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen by Maya Henry, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) by combining home-based brain stimulation with online speech therapy. The brain stimulation uses a gentle electrical current to boost the effects of speech therapy, which may improve communication skills and quality of life for those affected by PPA.

Research Team

Maya Henry, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas at Austin

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with Primary Progressive Aphasia who can think clearly enough (score of 20+ on a mental state exam), see and hear well (with aids if needed), undergo an MRI, have internet access, and a partner to help them through the study. It's not for those with other neurological issues, history of stroke/epilepsy/severe brain injury, or contraindications for tDCS/MRI.

Inclusion Criteria

My mental state score is 20 or higher.

I have been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia.

I have been diagnosed with a specific type of primary progressive aphasia.

Exclusion Criteria

I don't have a history of seizures, head injuries, severe migraines, metal implants in my head, chronic skin problems, or a pacemaker. I am not pregnant.

You do not have the specific type of PPA that the study is focusing on.

You have a score lower than 20 on a test that checks memory and thinking skills.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Lexical Retrieval Training (LRT) (Procedure)
• Remotely supervised sham tDCS (RS-sham-tDCS) (Procedure)
• Remotely supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (RS-tDCS) (Procedure)
• Video Implemented Script Training in Aphasia (VISTA) (Procedure)

Trial Overview The trial tests whether home-based brain stimulation paired with speech-language therapy via video call helps people with different types of PPA. Participants will receive either real or sham brain stimulation while engaging in language exercises designed to improve communication.

Participant Groups

Group I: RS-VISTA Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Group II: RS-LRT Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

University of California, San Francisco

Collaborator

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+