Dual Site-dual Channel Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Language and Cognitive Function in Stroke...
StrokeAphasia1 moreThe aim of this study is to investigate the effect of dual site-dual channel non-invasive brain stimulation for recovery of language and cognitive function in post stroke patients. Simultaneous dual site-dual channel stimulation was applied by using two sets of transcranial direct current stimulation devices. All subjects will go through four conditions of transcranial direct current stimulation with for 30 minutes. Four conditions are 1) Dual stimulation: i) anodal stimulation on ipsilesional inferior frontal cortex, ii) anodal stimulation on ipsilesional dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. 2) Single stimulation 1: anodal stimulation on ipsilesional inferior frontal cortex and cathodal stimulation on contralesional inferior frontal cortex; 3) Single stimulation 2: anodal stimulation on ipsilesional inferior frontal cortex and cathodal stimulation on contralesional supraorbital area.
Adapted Solution Focused Therapy for People With Aphasia (SOFIA Trial)
AphasiaStrokeAround one third of stroke survivors will have aphasia, which means they will have difficulty talking, understanding, reading or writing. The main aims of this study are to assess: [1] the acceptability of an existing psychosocial intervention, solution focused brief therapy, to people with varying presentations of aphasia; and [2] the feasibility of conducting a future definitive trial investigating clinical and cost effectiveness.
Effect of Music on Reading Comprehension for Patients With Aphasia
AphasiaThis investigation uses a single-subject, adapted alternating research design to compare two different experimental conditions using music with lyrics combined with visual stimulation of the written lyrics, to extend the emotional word effect to phrases, in order to stimulate reading comprehension of the trained material for patients with aphasia. The two music conditions include 1) music with sung lyrics simultaneously with silent reading of the written lyrics; and 2) music with sung lyrics, followed by silent reading of the written lyrics (i.e. priming with the music). A control set without music will be used additionally within every third session to detect potential history and maturation effects. All conditions will be followed by a silent reading phrase-completion task composed of written words from the total combined sets of stimuli.
Effects of Neuromodulation on Verbal Fluency in Post-stroke Aphasia
Post-stroke AphasiaThis is a pilot study with a single active treatment arm. The study is designed to assess the efficacy of a portable, non-invasive neuromodulation system for the treatment of post-stroke aphasia. Both language and movement assessments will be made.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Aphasia Language Therapy
Nonfluent AphasiaStrokeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of small amounts of electrical current, applied without surgery to the brain, in combination with speech-language treatment, on the language outcome of study subjects with nonfluent aphasia (i.e. difficulty with the comprehension and expression of spoken and written language) following a stroke.
Effect of Dopaminergic Medication on Recovery of Aphasia
AphasiaThe investigators have been offering computer assisted therapy of aphasia (CAT) as a complement to traditional treatments to aphasia patients of the "Service of Neurorehabilitation" for some years. The investigators have shown its efficacy in hospitalised patients with recently acquired aphasia. In addition to studies stressing the importance of treatment intensity, several studies suggest that pharmacological treatment can also improve recovery after a cerebral lesion. The underlying idea is that the administration of medication influencing the system of neurotransmitters can play a role in functional recovery. Studies have assessed mainly substances acting on the dopaminergic (amphetamine and bromocriptine) and GABAergic system (piracetam). The main objective of the present study concerns the evaluation of the effects of levodopa on recovery of anomia in patients with aphasia. In particular, the investigators use CAT to control intensity and quality of therapy and they will assess whether the administration of levodopa promotes recovery. In each patient, two periods of anomia therapy with CAT, each performed with a different word list, will be compared. In addition to speech therapy, each period will be associated with the administration of either levodopa and benserazide (Madopar ®), or placebo. Evaluations at baseline and after each treatment period will be performed with the material and denomination battery
Treatment for Word Retrieval Impairments in Aphasia
StrokeIn this study the investigators are examining the effectiveness of two different speech therapy protocols for word retrieval impairments experienced by individuals with stroke-induced aphasia. One treatment involves errorless naming treatment and the other employs verbal plus gestural facilitation of word retrieval. Participants will receive one of the two treatments over several months. Before and after treatment the investigators will administer several tests and conversational samples to examine changes associated with the treatments. The investigators hypothesize that, whereas both treatments will lead to improvements in words rehearsed in therapy, communication outcomes in conversation will be broader for the verbal plus gestural protocol.
The Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP)
AphasiaStrokeThe purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized clinical trial that assesses the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP), specifically focusing on the variable of intensity. Half of the participants will receive 60 hours of intensive treatment over three weeks, while the other half will receive the same amount and type of comprehensive treatment distributed over 15 weeks.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Primary Progressive Aphasia
Primary Progressive AphasiaPrimary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the neurodegeneration of language brain systems. Three main clinical variants are currently recorgnized (nonfluent, semantic, and logopenic PPA). Nowadays, there are no effective treatments for this disorder. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique based on the principle of electromagnetic induction of an electric field in the brain. It has been used as a non-invasive therapy in different disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, and in the rehabilitation of post-stroke aphasia. Recent studies have shown how repetitive TMS improved language characteristics in Alzheimer's disease, and there are initial data in patients with PPA. This research project investigates the effect of repetitive TMS in patients with PPA. Investigators will perform a personalized TMS treatment for each patient (brain region, type of stimulation/inhibition, etc.), according to the specific characteristics of each patient and with the final aim to generate a computational model.
Development and Feasibility Analysis of Verbal Expressive Skills Management Programme (VESMP) for...
AphasiaBroca1 moreThe present study was conducted to develop the verbal expressive skills management programme (VESMP) to enhance verbal expressive skills of patients with severe Broca aphasia. To determine the efficacy of VESMP in improving the quality of life and level of satisfaction of aphasic stroke patients.Control group received traditional therapy and experimental group received therapy through VESMP programme on their smart phones.