N/A
N=16
Effects of rTMS on Brain Activation in Aphasia
Aphasia, Acquired
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03292471 ↗Enrolled (actual)
16
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jan 2022
Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Philadelphia Naming Test (PNT) Performance — 122.125; 130.875; 132.5; 142.125 Score on a scale
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Device)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Primary completion
- Dec 2019
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Change in Philadelphia Naming Test (PNT) Performance |
122.125; 130.875; 132.5; 142.125; 115.6; 133.6 | — |
| SECONDARY Change in Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT) Performance |
53.56; 53.875; 54.54; 55.71; 52.5; 56.7 | — |
Summary
This study will investigate the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, to improve word-finding abilities in Veterans and non-Veterans with chronic language problems following stroke (aphasia). Improving word-finding is important because word-finding difficulties are among the most common and debilitating consequences of aphasia. Although rTMS has shown promise as a treatment approach, not all individuals with aphasia show the same level of benefit. Specifically, this study will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine whether the likelihood of improved word-finding abilities following rTMS depends on pre-intervention language-related brain activity and will examine changes in brain activity in response to stimulation. A better understanding of how and for whom rTMS works will 1) help to identify the best candidates for rTMS treatment, 2) optimize rTMS treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes, and 3) improve the investigators' understanding of how the brain re-organizes language functions following stroke.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Aphasia due to unilateral left-hemisphere stroke
- Greater than 6 months post aphasia onset
- English as a first language
- No contraindications to MRI or TMS including:
- pregnancy
- presence of ferromagnetic substances in the head with the exception of dental fillings, stents or aneurysm clips documented to be MRI compatible
- presence of any implanted devices including cardiac pacemaker, implanted cardiac defibrillator, insulin pump, cochlear implant, or drug infusion device
- history of epilepsy; use of medications that are known to lower seizure threshold
- severe claustrophobia
Exclusion Criteria
- History for progressive neurological disease or premorbid language disorder
- Presence of severe motor speech disorder
- Drug or alcohol dependence, or significant mood or behavioral disorder that is not currently stable or medically managed
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03292471). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.