RECRUITING

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) With Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in Chronic Aphasia

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

The purpose of this study is to assess changes in language abilities of participants with chronic, post-stroke aphasia following an 8-week therapy period combined with brain stimulation. The investigators use a stimulation method called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The investigators cover two electrodes in damp sponges, place them on the scalp, and pass a weak electrical current between them. Some of this current passes through the brain and can change brain activity. One electrode is placed over language areas a bit above and in front of the left ear. The other is placed on the forehead above the right eye. Stimulation is provided twice a week for 8 weeks during aphasia therapy. The investigators believe that this stimulation may increase the effectiveness of therapy.

Official Title

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) With Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in Chronic Aphasia

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-01-03
Study Completion:2026-12-31
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT04142866

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.

Ages Eligible for Study:21 Years to 80 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:Yes
Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * Right handed (pre-stroke for participants with aphasia)
  2. * High school education or equivalent
  3. * Native English fluency without early 2nd language exposure (before age 10)
  4. * Ability to perform the required discourse and MRI tasks (determined via in-person screening)
  5. * Single-event left hemisphere stroke \> 6 months prior to enrollment
  6. * Aphasia diagnosis per Western Aphasia Battery-Revised
  7. * Not receiving any other speech therapy for the entire study period (20 weeks)
  8. * Ability to perform the required therapy tasks (determined via in-person screening)
  1. * Failed vision or hearing screening
  2. * MRI contraindications (including pacemaker)
  3. * Pregnancy
  4. * History of seizure or change in seizure medication in past 12 months
  5. * History of speech/language, psychiatric, or neurological disorder, or current serious medical condition (except chronic stroke comorbidities for participants with aphasia)
  6. * Unmodifiable hair style precluding scalp contact by electrodes
  7. * Sensitive scalp by self-report

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

E. Susan Duncan, PhD, CCC-SLP
CONTACT
212 817 8804
esduncan@gc.cuny.edu

Principal Investigator

E. Susan Duncan, PhD, CCC-SLP
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
City University of New York

Study Locations (Sites)

City University of New York
New York, New York, 10016
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: City University of New York

  • E. Susan Duncan, PhD, CCC-SLP, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, City University of New York

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-01-03
Study Completion Date2026-12-31

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-01-03
Study Completion Date2026-12-31

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • aphasia
  • stroke
  • tDCS
  • language
  • stimulation
  • brain
  • speech therapy

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Aphasia
  • Stroke