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Neurology and Therapy
Published in: Neurology and Therapy 2/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Stroke | Original Research

Effect of Anodal tDCS on Articulatory Accuracy, Word Production, and Syllable Repetition in Subjects with Aphasia: A Crossover, Double-Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial

Authors: Camila Vila-Nova, Pedro H. Lucena, Rita Lucena, Giulia Armani-Franceschi, Fernanda Q. Campbell

Published in: Neurology and Therapy | Issue 2/2019

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Abstract

Introduction

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) has been used to modulate and induce changes in brain function and excitability. tDCS is a promising tool for the treatment of aphasia.

Objective

To evaluate whether tDCS improves articulatory accuracy and speech production in patients with aphasia after stroke.

Methods and Results

Twelve right-handed subjects participated in a double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover offline trial. We assessed (1) articulatory accuracy at a naming task, (2) number of words correctly produced, (3) number of syllables repeated correctly, and (4) qualitative assessment of speech. Articulatory accuracy improved when using tDCS over Broca’s area in subjects with aphasia post-stroke (p ≤ 0.05). Qualitative improvement in the naming and syllable repetition tasks was observed, but the difference was not statistically significant (respectively, p = 0.15 and p = 0.79).

Conclusion

The current results corroborate the potential of tDCS to be used as an alternative and complementary treatment for individuals with aphasia.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of Anodal tDCS on Articulatory Accuracy, Word Production, and Syllable Repetition in Subjects with Aphasia: A Crossover, Double-Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial
Authors
Camila Vila-Nova
Pedro H. Lucena
Rita Lucena
Giulia Armani-Franceschi
Fernanda Q. Campbell
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Keywords
Stroke
Aphasia
Published in
Neurology and Therapy / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 2193-8253
Electronic ISSN: 2193-6536
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-019-00149-4

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