Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Post-Stroke Aphasia

The Baseline Naming Task consists of 344 images representing nouns and the images will be presented on the computer screen. The task is to name the presented noun by producing the name of the item out loud. The answer is scored on a three-point scale (1 - not able to name correctly, 2 - named with phonological or semantic paraphasia, 3 - correct). Items marked with a score of 3 are considered accurate. From the baseline assessment, a random list of 50 incorrectly named words will be trained in therapy. Minimum score is 0% (inability to name any objects) and maximum score is 100% (accuracy in naming all presented objects), where a higher score indicates a better health outcome

The Baseline Naming Task consists of 344 images representing nouns and the images will be presented on the computer screen. The task is to name the presented noun by producing the name of the item out loud. The answer is scored on a three-point scale (1 - not able to name correctly, 2 - named with phonological or semantic paraphasia, 3 - correct). Items marked with a score of 3 are considered accurate. From the baseline assessment, a random list of 50 incorrectly named words will be trained in therapy. Minimum score is 0% (inability to name any objects) and maximum score is 100% (accuracy in naming all presented objects), where a higher score indicates a better health outcome

Number of correct answers on the fifth level (no cueing) during the therapy task. Greater number of correct responses indicates better response to treatment.

Number of correct responses to presented stimuli. Greater number of correct responses indicates better response to treatment.

Percentage score calculated for words not trained in therapy task to assess generalization. Patients are presented with 25 words not trained during therapy sessions. Each answer is scored on a three-point scale (1 - not able to name correctly, 2 - named with phonological or semantic paraphasia, 3 - correct). Items receiving a score of 3 are marked as correct, with a maximum total number of correct items being 25. Minimum score is 0% (0/25- inability to name any objects) and maximum score is 100% (25/25- accuracy in naming all presented objects), where higher score indicates better response to treatment.

The participants primary communication partner rates the participants' ability to perform in sixteen communication situations on a visual analog scale with the lowest value (a score of 0) as "not at all able" and the greatest value (a score of 10) as "as able to as before", where higher scores indicate better health outcomes.

Oral Expression Subtest - the speech language pathologist assesses the patient with the oral expression portion of the BDAE. Areas assessed include automatic sequences, repetition of words and sentences, responsive and confrontational naming, and screening of letters and numbers. Each item receives a point for correctness with a maximal score of 48

The opinion of the patient and of the researcher on receiving the placebo vs. active stimulation. The patient and researcher provide their guess/opinion as to whether the stimulation received during treatment was active or sham. It will be taken after the end of the last treatment session.

Stimulation tolerance/side effects are measured using a visual analog scale with seven components (headache, fatigue, sleepiness, dizziness, pain on scalp, tingling on scalp, burning sensation on scalp, and itching on scalp). Ratings will be taken before and after each session. Full scale 0-10 per component. Higher score indicates a higher degree of each side effect.

Assesses the ability to complete daily tasks pertaining to self-care, communication, interaction with others, and physical mobility. The SAQOL includes 17 questions, where questions are rated on a 1-5 scale with a score of 1 indicating greater disability and 5 indicating none. Total score ranges from 17-85. Scores are averaged across three domains (physical, communication, and psychosocial), with lower scores indicating lesser ability (lower quality of life) and higher scores indicating great ability or independence (greater quality of life)

Identifies minor psychiatric disorders in the general population and within community or non-psychiatric clinical settings such as primary care or general medical out-patients. GHQ-12 is a 12-items scaled version that assesses somatic symptoms, anxiety, and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression. A total score ranges from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating worse conditions

Assesses the perceived ability to bounce back or recover from stress. The possible score range on the BRS is from 1 (low resilience) to 5 (high resilience). Higher scores indicate better health outcomes.

Saliva samples will be collected to test for typical vs. atypical brain plasticity biomarkers, as BDNF genotype may interfere with results of therapy paired with transcranial electrical stimulation. Research suggests that individuals with an atypical BDNF genotype are less receptive to the beneficial effects of speech-language therapy paired with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation, compared to individuals with typical BDNF genotype