Recovery From Post-Stroke Aphasia With rTMS Targeting Left or Right Anterior Temporal Lobe

Part of paid clinical trials in Columbia, South Carolina.

Sponsor
University of South Carolina
Study ID
NCT07608588
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • continuous Theta Burst Stimulation — DEVICE
    We will use continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (600 pulses, burst frequency at 5 Hz, burst of three pulses at 50Hz) targeting the right ATL
  • intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation — DEVICE
    We will use intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (600 pulses, burst frequency at 5 Hz, burst of three pulses at 50Hz, interval intertrain of 8 sec, 10 pulses in train) targeting the left ATL
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Sham — DEVICE
    We will use sham stimulation using the same coil but flipped over, with the left ATL targeted in half of the participant and the right ATL in the other half. The placebo coil will replicate the auditory sensations produced by active stimulation. In addition, we will use electrical stimulation of the scalp (via electrodes placed over specific muscles) in the Sham group to mimic the sensory effects of active stimulation. Participants will have no prior rTMS experience before inclusion in the protocol.
  • Semantic Feature Analysis — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will receive 30 minutes of Semantic Feature Analysis therapy administered by a Speech and Language Pathologist. On a computer screen, participants will see an image of an object and will be cued to retrieve the object's name by describing various features of the object, including its physical properties, typical location, personal associations, category, use and actions involving the object (Quique et al., 2019).

Study Details

This project aims to tailor repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) target to the clinical profile of post-stroke aphasia, specifically focusing on lexicosemantic impairments, to enhance recovery. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) will provide critical insights into the effects of facilitatory versus inhibitory stimulation on interhemispheric balance. Additionally, this study will generate new data on how lesion localization and brain connectivity influence individual responses to rTMS, explaining variability in treatment efficacy.

Key Dates

Start date
May 15, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Jul 30, 2027
Completion
Jul 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
45 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Inhibitory rTMS
    Participants will receive inhibitory continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS) targeting the right ATL 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Each stimulation session will be followed by 30-min of Speech and Language Therapy using the Semantic Feature Analysis protocol.
  • Experimental: Facilitatory rTMS
    Participants will receive facilitatory intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) targeting the left ATL 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Each stimulation session will be followed by 30-min of Speech and Language Therapy using the Semantic Feature Analysis protocol.
  • Sham Comparator: Sham rTMS
    Participants will receive sham stimulation targeting either the left or right ATL with allocation balanced across participants, 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Each stimulation session will be followed by 30-min of Speech and Language Therapy using the Semantic Feature Analysis protocol.

Primary Outcome Measure

Picture Naming task accuracy [ Time Frame: Baseline assessment conducted within 7 days prior to intervention Post-intervention assessment conducted within 3 days after the final intervention session Follow-up assessment conducted 1 month after the end of the intervention ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
McCausland CenterColumbiaSouth Carolina29203
Makayla Gibson, PhD
[email protected]
803-777-0169
Sophie Arheix-Parras, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
Chris Rorden, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Rutvik H Desai, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)
Leonardo Bonilha, PhD (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)

Find similar trials in Columbia, SC

By condition
Stroke
By specialty
NeurologyBrain disorders
By research site
McCausland Center· Columbia, SC

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