Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria
Age between 18 and 70 years
Right-handed
Native Chinese speakers
Clinical diagnosis of post-stroke aphasia caused by ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT or MRI
Diagnosis of non-fluent aphasia based on the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB), with BDAE severity rating of 1-5
Time since stroke onset ≥ 2 weeks
Stable vital signs, clear consciousness, and no severe cognitive impairment
Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent (or consent provided by a legally authorized representative)
Exclusion criteria
History of aphasia or neurological disease not caused by stroke (e.g., traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, neurodegenerative diseases)
Severe visual or auditory impairments that would interfere with task performance
Severe cognitive impairment or disorders of consciousness preventing cooperation with language assessment or intervention
Severe dysarthria or apraxia of speech that precludes valid language assessment
History of epilepsy or other severe neurological conditions
Severe systemic diseases (e.g., severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, renal failure, hepatic failure, malignancy)
Psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, severe depression, or other major psychiatric illnesses)
Contraindications to MRI or fNIRS assessment (e.g., metallic implants, severe claustrophobia)