Using tDCS in Speech-based Stroke Rehabilitation

Description

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the effect of treatment for acquired speech impairment can be enhanced by combining effective behavioral treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which delivers low-intensity current to the scalp, and is a safe and well-tolerated approach that poses a non-significant risk to participants. tDCS provides low intensity neural stimulation which has been shown to facilitate motor learning in other domains of stroke rehabilitation such as arm motor learning but the potential to enhance speech motor learning has not been explored. This will be examined with a series of single-case experimental designs.

Conditions

Apraxia of Speech

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the effect of treatment for acquired speech impairment can be enhanced by combining effective behavioral treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which delivers low-intensity current to the scalp, and is a safe and well-tolerated approach that poses a non-significant risk to participants. tDCS provides low intensity neural stimulation which has been shown to facilitate motor learning in other domains of stroke rehabilitation such as arm motor learning but the potential to enhance speech motor learning has not been explored. This will be examined with a series of single-case experimental designs.

Using tDCS in Speech-based Stroke Rehabilitation

Using tDCS in Speech-based Stroke Rehabilitation

Condition
Apraxia of Speech
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New York

New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States, 10016

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Right-handed
  • * Monolingual (English)
  • * Single left-hemisphere CVA
  • * A minimum of six months post-stroke
  • * Clinical diagnosis of apraxia of speech
  • * Normal speech perception
  • * Passing score on the hearing screening.
  • * Diagnosis of laryngeal voice disorder
  • * Dysarthria
  • * History of speech impairment prior to CVA
  • * Presence of potential tDCS risk factors: damaged skin at site of stimulation;
  • * Presence of electrically or magnetically activated implant (including pacemaker);
  • * metal in any part of their body;
  • * history of medication-resistant epilepsy in the family;
  • * past history of seizures or unexplained spells of loss of consciousness.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 99 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

NYU Langone Health,

Adam Buchwald, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, NYU Langone Health

Study Record Dates

2026-10-30