Post-Stroke Aphasia TMS

Launched by MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · May 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Post-Stroke Aphasia TMS," is looking at a new way to help stroke survivors who have difficulty finding the right words, a condition known as aphasia. Researchers want to see if a treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic fields to stimulate certain areas of the brain, can work better when combined with a type of language therapy called semantic feature analysis (SFA). The hope is that this approach will improve the ability of individuals to express themselves after experiencing a stroke.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and have had a stroke affecting the left side of the brain at least one month before joining. However, those with severe cognitive or hearing problems, certain psychiatric conditions, or various medical implants will not be able to participate. If someone joins the trial, they can expect to receive both TMS and language therapy in a supportive setting. This research aims to find better treatments for those struggling with communication after a stroke, and it’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to advancements in care for aphasia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosed with left hemisphere stroke
• • 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 (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disease)
• • A chronic medical condition that is not treated or is unstable
• • The presence of cardiac stimulators or pacemakers or intracardiac lines, neurostimulators, medication infusion device, any other implants near the scalp (e.g., cochlear implants) or in the eye, metal in the body (e.g., splinters, fragments, clips)
• • Pregnancy
• • History of skull fractures, or skin diseases
• • History of ongoing or unmanaged seizures
• • Presence of factors that potentially decrease seizure thresholds: on pro-convulsant medications, untreated sleep deprivation or insomnia, ongoing alcoholism or illegal drug abuse (e.g., cocaine or MDMA users)
• • History of dyslexia or other developmental learning disabilities