What is this study trying to find out about post-stroke reading difficulties?

This study aims to find out if combining aerobic exercise with targeted reading therapy improves reading skills after stroke-related aphasia. Researchers want to see if exercise helps brain blood flow and strengthens damaged reading networks. The study is sponsored by Kessler Foundation and hopes to improve treatments for people with post-stroke reading deficits.

Who may be eligible for this post-stroke reading disorder clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 to 85 with reading difficulties after their first stroke may be eligible. Participants should be fluent in English before the stroke and more than three months post-stroke. People currently receiving speech therapy or with prior neurological diseases may not qualify. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this post-stroke reading disorder clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the study treatment and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal expenses for travel or other needs may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 85Years

All Genders

ID06213272

Improving Reading Competence in Aphasia With Combined Aerobic Exercise and Phono-Motor Treatment

Led by Kessler Foundation · Updated on 2025-05-21

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new combined approach to treat reading disorders after stroke, focusing on improving language through exercise and targeted therapy. The study involves adults with chronic aphasia caused by left-hemisphere stroke, aiming to enhance cerebral blood flow and rebuild damaged brain networks related to reading. This randomized controlled trial intends to advance understanding of stroke recovery and improve functional outcomes for individuals with post-stroke reading deficits. Participants will receive 40 sessions, each lasting 2 hours daily, four to five times a week. One group will perform 20 minutes of moderate aerobic cycling exercise followed by 90 minutes of Phono-Motor Therapy PMT, which targets sound units and syllables to improve reading skills. The comparison group will do light stretching exercises for 20 minutes before the same PMT session. Both groups begin with warm-up and cool-down periods and complete logs on their experiences. Before, during, and after the treatment course, participants undergo behavioral testing and three MRI scans to measure brain activity and blood flow changes. Assessments include reading aloud, comprehension, and language batteries, conducted at baseline and within two weeks after treatment completion, approximately 10 weeks from the study start. The study also monitors participants effort and safety throughout the intervention to evaluate the combined treatments effectiveness and neurological impact.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Combined Exercise and Targeted Therapy for Post-Stroke Reading Deficits

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 85Years

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Fluent and literate in English before the stroke
Experienced a first-ever stroke
More than 3 months have passed since the stroke
Have post-stroke reading deficits with less than 83% accuracy for single words or less than 65% for readable nonwords
Live within 50 miles of Kessler Foundation

You will not qualify if you...

Have contraindications to MRI scans
Have prior neurological diseases other than the first stroke
Have developmental learning or reading disabilities such as developmental dyslexia
Have contraindications to exercise
Are currently receiving speech and language therapy

Research Team

Olga Boukrina, PhD

Matthew R Weiner

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