Zapping the brain to unlock lost words: a new hope for stroke survivors?
NCT ID NCT05570578
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS in 14 people who had a stroke at least a year ago and still have trouble finding words (aphasia). The goal was to see if stimulating a key language area could improve their ability to name pictures and strengthen connections between brain regions involved in language. The approach combined brain stimulation with a word-learning task.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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14 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2022
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke * Presence of aphasia with difficulty finding words and/or naming objects/pictures * ≥12 months post-stroke * ≥ 18 years of age * French-speaking * Able to participate in 30-60 min therapeutic sessions (good concentration and understanding of the task and ability to follow instructions Exclusion Criteria: * Patients unable to understand the given information on the study and its objectives, or instructions for tasks performed. * Impaired alertness or delirium * Severe co-morbidity affecting speech * Contraindication to tDCS: pregnant women, patients with active implants such as pacemakers or cochlear implants, patients with one or more seizures, metal objects in the brain * Occurrence of a new stroke during the study protocol.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Division of Neurorehabilitation, University Hospital of Geneva
Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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