EFFECT OF ANODAL TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION ON NAMING IN APHASIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Anodal tDCS

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Sham tDCS

Study summary

The use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the management of deficits developed in stroke is a relatively new type of management option. Many of the studies performed using tDCS have focused on improvements noted in hemiplegia as compared to aphasia, which is an equally disabling outcome of strokes. The results of these studies have not been conclusive and concordant with each other.

In aphasia management, the majority of the studies have focused on chronic strokes. Since the use of tDCS is relatively new, the studies have not focused on a particular type of deficit or stroke. Very few studies have focused on the impact of solely using tDCS. Very few studies have focused on acute to subacute strokes. The results of the studies have, nevertheless, been encouraging.

Improvements in aspects of language tested after a single session of tDCS are short-lived. There is an unmet need to probe the utility of repetitive tDCS on aspects of language function in patients who are aphasic due to acute stroke. There is also a paucity of data in the Indian scenario regarding the same.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Primary Outcome: Difference of change in Accuracy between Anodal tDCS group and Sham tDCS group at 5 days — at 5 days after tDCS
  Accuracy is defined as the number of words spoken without the help of a semantic or phonemic cue on the ICMR Picture Naming Test
• Co-Primary outcome: Difference of change in Reaction Time between Anodal tDCS group and Sham tDCS group at 5 days — at 5 days after tDCS
  Reaction times were documented in milliseconds.

Trial sites (1)

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