Enhancing Reading Recovery in Aphasia With tDCS and Phonomotor Therapy

Launched by KESSLER FOUNDATION · Mar 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to help people with aphasia, a language disorder that often affects stroke survivors. Aphasia can make it hard to read, speak, and understand language, impacting daily life and communication. The study is testing whether combining a special reading therapy called Phono-Motor Treatment (PMT) with a safe brain stimulation method known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve reading skills. tDCS uses a mild electrical current to help the brain learn better, which could enhance the benefits of the reading therapy.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be adults aged 29 to 74 who have had a stroke over six months ago and have a diagnosis of aphasia that includes difficulties with reading aloud. However, there are some exclusions, such as those with certain eye conditions that affect reading, severe speech problems, or other major brain disorders. Participants will not only receive the combined therapy but also be part of a study that monitors their progress. This research hopes to find better ways to support recovery in reading for those affected by aphasia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Chronic (\>6 months) left-hemisphere stroke
• • Aphasia diagnosis.
• • Deficits in reading aloud.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Eye condition not correctable with lenses and interfering with reading (e.g., blindness)
• • Severe apraxia of speech or cognitive deficits preventing participation.
• • Participation in one-on-one aphasia rehabilitation during the study period.
• • Brain disorders other than stroke (such as Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, etc)
• • Contraindications of tDCS or MRI
• • Skin condition affecting the scull (e.g., psoriasis) or open wounds at the stimulation site.
• • Presence of metallic implants (e.g., cardiac stimulators or pacemakers, cochlear implants)
• • History of ongoing/unmanaged seizers
• • Pregnancy
• • Claustrophobia
• • Inability to lie flat on the back