Cerebellar tDCS Enhances Functional Communication Skills in Chronic Aphasia.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Speech and Language Therapy

Background:

• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a potential neuromodulatory method for enhancing language therapy in post-stroke aphasia.
• Limited data exists on tDCS efficacy for improving everyday functional communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if cerebellar tDCS combined with computerized aphasia treatment improves functional communication in chronic aphasia.
• To evaluate the impact on specific communication dimensions and naming abilities.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject crossover study involving 28 participants.
• Participants received 15 sessions of either anodal or cathodal cerebellar tDCS with computerized aphasia treatment, followed by sham treatment, or vice versa.
• Linear mixed-effects regression models analyzed changes in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Functional Assessment of Communication Skills for Adults (ASHA-FACS) scales (Communication Independence and Qualitative Dimension of Communication) and naming abilities.

Main Results:

• Significant tDCS-induced improvements were observed in the overall Qualitative Dimension of Communication (QDC) mean score, but not the Communication Independence (CI) mean score.
• Cerebellar stimulation demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to sham for the overall QDC mean score at immediate post-treatment, 2-week, and 2-month follow-ups.
• A significant association was found between ASHA-FACS CI mean changes and naming abilities (trained and untrained) in the tDCS condition, but not in the sham condition.

Conclusions:

• Cerebellar tDCS, when paired with computerized aphasia treatment, shows preliminary promise for enhancing the qualitative aspects of functional communication in individuals with chronic aphasia.
• The findings suggest tDCS as a viable adjunct therapy for improving communication independence and overall communication effectiveness in aphasia rehabilitation.