Actively Recruiting
Brain Stimulation Effects on Post-Stroke Fatigue and Aphasia
Led by Syracuse University · Updated on 2025-09-03
60
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
221 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
Syracuse University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if electrical brain stimulation applied to the front parts of the brain can help people who have had a stroke improve their fatigue, language, and attention. The main question it aims to answer is: * Does transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to the pre-frontal areas of the brain improve post-stroke fatigue and aphasia? * What kinds of participant characteristics are associated with better improvement of post-stroke fatigue and aphasia? Researchers will compare active electrical stimulation to sham stimulation to see if the active stimulation does a better job at reducing fatigue and language deficits after stroke. Participants will be asked to complete fatigue, language, and cognitive testing before and after receiving 10 sessions of tDCS plus speech and language therapy.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Brain Stimulation Effects on Post-Stroke Fatigue and Aphasia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 18 years or older
- No diagnosis of neurological disorder other than stroke
- No diagnosis of psychiatric disorder except managed anxiety and/or depression
- No seizure within the past 6 months
- Not pregnant
- Does not currently have a cardiac pacemaker
- At least 6 months post-stroke (chronic phase of recovery)
- Not currently receiving speech and language therapy targeting auditory comprehension or attention
- No metal implants in the scalp or bone in the pre-frontal head area
- No unhealed skull fractures
- Aphasia onset related to a single, left hemisphere, ischemic stroke
- Damaged brain tissue from stroke does not overlap left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- Mild to moderate aphasia
- Self-reports post-stroke fatigue
- No significant vision or hearing challenges (with corrective aids if needed)
- Willing to allow audio-recording of study sessions
You will not qualify if you...
- Younger than 18 years old
- Diagnosis or history of neurological disorder other than stroke
- Diagnosis or history of psychiatric disorder except managed anxiety and/or depression
- History of seizures within the past 6 months
- Pregnant
- Currently has a cardiac pacemaker
- Less than 6 months post-stroke (may be re-evaluated after 6 months if otherwise eligible)
- Currently undergoing speech and language therapy targeting auditory comprehension or attention
- Metal implants in the scalp or bone in the pre-frontal head area
- Unhealed skull fracture
- Aphasia onset due to causes other than left hemisphere ischemic stroke
- Damaged brain tissue significantly overlaps left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- No aphasia or severe aphasia
- Does not report post-stroke fatigue
- Significant vision or hearing challenges even with aids
- Unwilling to allow audio-recording of study sessions
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York, United States, 13244
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Ellyn Riley
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
FACTORIAL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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