Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) for the Recovery of Phonological Short-Term Memory in Patients With Aphasia After Stroke

Launched by MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · Sep 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how a treatment called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can help improve language skills in people who have had a stroke and are experiencing aphasia, which is a condition that affects a person's ability to speak and understand language. The study aims to see if this non-invasive brain stimulation can boost short-term memory related to language, potentially aiding recovery after a stroke.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and have been diagnosed with a left hemisphere stroke that has caused aphasia. It's important that participants consent to join the study at least one month after their stroke. However, some people may not be eligible, such as those with significant cognitive or sensory impairments, serious psychiatric conditions, or certain medical devices like pacemakers. If you join the study, you can expect to undergo assessments related to your language and cognitive abilities, and you will receive tACS treatment as part of the research. This trial is currently looking for participants, so it could be a meaningful opportunity for those affected by stroke and aphasia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosed with left hemisphere stroke/aphasia
• • Consent date \>= 1 month after stroke onset
• • Fluent in English
• • 18 years of age or older
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Severe cognitive, auditory or visual impairments that would preclude cognitive and language testing
• • Presence of major untreated or unstable psychiatric disease
• • A chronic medical condition that is not treated or is unstable
• • The presence of cardiac stimulators or pacemakers
• • Contraindications to MRI or tACS, e.g. patients with metallic implants, and/or history of skull fractures, pregnancy, skin diseases
• • History of ongoing or unmanaged seizures
• • History of dyslexia or other developmental learning disabilities