Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation + Language Therapy to Treat Subacute Aphasia (NCT06968663)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) combined with modified Constraint Induced Language Therapy (mCILT) is an effective treatment for aphasia when delivered in the subacute stage after stroke. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Can TMS combined with mCILT improve overall speech? 2. Can we identify specific behavioral and biological characteristics that would benefit most from the TMS and mCILT treatment? Researchers will compare real TMS to sham (fake) TMS to see whether TMS can treat subacute aphasia. Importantly, this trial will use electric field guided TMS to identify optimal and individualized stimulation intensity and site targeting. Participants will: * Complete a screening and medical intake to determine eligibility * Undergo MRI scans * Participate in 10 consecutive sessions (Monday-Friday) of TMS and mCILT treatment * Complete follow-up assessments immediately and 4 months after treatment
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (5 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (9 items).
Location: University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- History of serious and/or ongoing issues with substance abuse
- Previous head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes
- History of major psychiatric illness
- Dementia, or other neurological conditions
- Epilepsy, or seizure after the stroke event
- Pacemaker
- Diagnosis of tinnitus
- Pregnancy
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.