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Phase 2Recruiting

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation + Language Therapy to Treat Subacute Aphasia

Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania

About this study

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

Aphasia is an acquired disorder of language that occurs in approximately 30% of individuals with stroke and impacts approximately 1 million Americans (see NINDS.NIH.gov). Current treatments for aphasia are only modestly beneficial, so there is a clear need for more efficacious therapy. Most studies of TMS as a therapy for aphasia have investigated treatment in the chronic phase after stroke (\>6 months post-stroke). Previous research has demonstrated that TMS improves language performance in persons with chronic aphasia and the benefit has been shown to be sustained. Several lines of evidence, however, suggest that TMS treatment in the subacute period may be more effective than interventions in the chronic stage. One limitation of TMS has been variability in response; TMS has shown good …

Where this study is enrolling

Who can participate

Inclusion criteria

  • ✓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 criteria

  • ✕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

Only the research team can confirm whether you qualify. The intake questionnaire is the best way to find out.

Completing a questionnaire on Clinably does not enroll you in a clinical trial or confirm your eligibility. Only the research team can determine whether you qualify to participate. These results are based on the information you provide and are intended to help you start a conversation with the research team.

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.