Targeted Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment for Adults with Laryngeal Dystonia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS as a potential treatment for laryngeal dystonia, a voice disorder formerly known as spasmodic dysphonia. This study involves participants clinically diagnosed with various types of laryngeal dystonia including adductor, abductor, and mixed types. The study is sponsored by Yale University and aims to explore brain stimulation effects on this condition. Participants will undergo neuromodulation using a device called the Starstim system to deliver tDCS for twenty minutes while either watching videos or performing a word production task. Before treatment sessions, baseline brain activity will be recorded using MRI and EEG scans. Each participant will attend multiple testing sessions over a five-day period to receive the stimulation and complete assessments. During the study, researchers will measure changes in voice quality daily using tools such as Cepstral Peak Prominence CPP and the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice CAPE-V. Participants will be monitored throughout the five-day testing period to evaluate treatment effects. The total participation time spans these multiple sessions, with no mention of long-term follow-up beyond the study period.

tDCS for Laryngeal Dystonia