RecruitingPhase 2NCT06968663

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation + Language Therapy to Treat Subacute Aphasia

Electrical Field Guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Subacute Post-stroke Aphasia

Sponsor

University of Pennsylvania

Enrollment

63 participants

Start Date

Aug 1, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Stroke Aphasia Aphasia Following Cerebral Infarction

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) combined with modified Constraint Induced Language Therapy (mCILT) is an effective treatment for aphasia when delivered in the subacute stage after stroke. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Can TMS combined with mCILT improve overall speech? 2. Can we identify specific behavioral and biological characteristics that would benefit most from the TMS and mCILT treatment? Researchers will compare real TMS to sham (fake) TMS to see whether TMS can treat subacute aphasia. Importantly, this trial will use electric field guided TMS to identify optimal and individualized stimulation intensity and site targeting. Participants will: * Complete a screening and medical intake to determine eligibility * Undergo MRI scans * Participate in 10 consecutive sessions (Monday-Friday) of TMS and mCILT treatment * Complete follow-up assessments immediately and 4 months after treatment

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 85 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Left hemisphere stroke resulting in aphasia
The stroke must have occurred between 2 and 6 weeks prior to enrollment
Must be able to understand the nature of the study, and give informed consent
English proficiency
Right-handed

Exclusion Criteria8

History of serious and/or ongoing issues with substance abuse
Previous head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes
History of major psychiatric illness
Dementia, or other neurological conditions
Epilepsy, or seizure after the stroke event
Pacemaker
Diagnosis of tinnitus
Pregnancy

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Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS, is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. In this study we will utilize theta-burst stimulation which uses a higher frequency pulse of 50 Hz delivered for 40 seconds for a total of 600 pulses.

BEHAVIORALModified Constraint Induced Language Therapy (mCILT)

Constraint-induced language therapy (CILT) is a treatment approach for aphasia that focuses on forcing the patient to use their impaired language skills, while restricting the use of compensatory strategies like gestures or writing. All participants will receive mCILT.