Analysis of Brain Activity to Uncover Brain-behavior Relationships Related to Therapy Outcomes in Aphasia

NCT ID: NCT03550092

Last Updated: 2025-04-29

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 23 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-09-25
• Study Completion Date: 2023-12-31

Brief Summary

Aphasia is a loss of language due to stroke or other brain injury. Word-finding in conversation is a universal and persistent difficulty in aphasia. While several techniques exist to improve word-finding in aphasia, it is unclear how the brain changes in response to behavioral therapy. In this study, persons with aphasia will receive behavioral therapy aimed at helping them to be more successful at finding words. Twenty therapy sessions will be provided in a 10-week period. Each therapy session will last about 2 hours and will include a variety of language tasks. Prior to beginning word-finding therapy, each participant will receive two fMRI scans, spaced 10 weeks apart. After finishing therapy, each participant will receive two additional fMRI scans, spaced 10 weeks apart. For a portion of the MRI scan, participants will complete language tasks. The purpose of these fMRI scans is to measure brain changes that may occur due to successful behavioral therapy. The hypotheses are as follows: First, that the behavioral therapy will improve word-finding as it has been shown to do in the past. Second, that the brain will change in a couple of different ways. It is expected that the network of regions that support word-finding will be more connected and work together more efficiently after therapy. It is also expected that the networks of regions that support other aspects of cognitive function, such as attention and executive function, will also be more connected and work together more efficiently.

Conditions

Aphasia

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Aphasia

Abstract Semantic Association Network Training (AbSANT) Each session will be 2 hours long and will occur twice each week for a total of 20 sessions.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Abstract Semantic Association Network Training (AbSANT)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

In each session, the participant will be asked to categorize words, choose/discuss semantic features for each word that accurately describe the word, and generate as many words as possible within a category.

Interventions

Abstract Semantic Association Network Training (AbSANT)

In each session, the participant will be asked to categorize words, choose/discuss semantic features for each word that accurately describe the word, and generate as many words as possible within a category.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Semantic word-finding therapy; Semantic Feature Analysis/Verification

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of aphasia

2. Sustained stroke more than 6 months prior to consent

3. Right-handed

4. Native speakers of English

5. Completed at least a high school education

6. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing

7. Provide written informed consent

8. Participants will be medically stable and at least wheelchair ambulatory at the time of participation with uncompromised use of the left hand

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of degenerative neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), acquired neurological disorders other than aphasia from stroke (e.g., traumatic brain injury), developmental neurological disorders (e.g., autism), or psychiatric disorders

2. An active medical condition that could compromise participation (e.g., cancer undergoing acute treatment)

3. Not safe to enter the bore of the magnet (e.g., pacemaker)

4. Taking medications that are known to exert significant effects on cognitive processes

5. Pregnancy or possibility of pregnancy

6. Do not meet the above inclusionary criteria

• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Penn State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Chaleece Sandberg

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Chaleece W Sandberg, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Pennsylvania State University

Locations

Hershey Medical Campus

Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

1R21DC016708-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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