Transcranial direct current stimulation to treat aphasia: a superiority study

Active Cooperative Agreement Awarded Last action

Award ID
U01DC022447
Recipient
Awarding agency
Obligated
$5,975,996

Award facts

Completion date 24% complete
Place of performance
Columbia, SC 29208, USA

Award details come from USAspending.gov.

Description

Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The national institute on deafness and other communication disorders estimates that approximately 2 million people suffer from post-stroke chronic language problems (APHASIA) in the united states. The standard treatment for chronic APHASIA is speech therapy. However, the outcomes of speech therapy for chronic APHASIA are often unsatisfactory, underscoring the need for advancements in therapeutic options. Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) has recently emerged as a promising method that can have synergistic effects when applied concurrently with speech therapy, significantly improving language outcomes. However, despite the potential transformative effect of TDCS as an adjuvant treatment for chronic APHASIA, the existing literature is composed by small sample sizes or uncontrolled studies. From an evidence-based medicine perspective, these studies do not constitute level 1 evidence and are not sufficient to prove superiority and justify the translation of TDCS to clinical use. Hence, a definitive level 1 evidence study is strongly needed and this application addresses this critical knowledge GAP. Our team has conducted the largest preliminary futility design clinical trial in TDCS and APHASIA, in which we formally demonstrated that a definitive superiority clinical trial to assess adjuvant TDCS coupled with auditory-visual speech is feasible, warranted, and not futile. Leveraging this formal and rigorous foundation, this project will be a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial to compare auditory-visual speech therapy coupled with adjuvant active anodal TDCS (a-TDCS) versus speech therapy coupled with sham TDCS (S-TDCS). We will perform an adaptive phase II/III design, in which the first portion of the study (phase II) will determine the optimal dose of a-TDCS (1 MA versus 2 MA) and provide a go/no-go decision for phase III. Phase III will test the definitive superiority of adjuvant a-TDCS at the optimal dose coupled with speech therapy versus speech therapy alone (S-TDCS) to improve naming among individuals with chronic broca's APHASIA. The primary outcome measure will be the number of individuals who achieve a meaningful improvement in naming from baseline to 4 weeks post-therapy. Improvement in APHASIA severity, communication confidence, discourse, and quality of life will be evaluated as secondary outcome measures. This project stands to be the first efficacy trial of TDCS for APHASIA, paving the way for a new clinical treatment that would directly benefit patient care. By focusing on naming deficits in broca's APHASIA, this trial will address a significant aspect of APHASIA and lay the groundwork for future studies exploring TDCS applications for various types and stages of APHASIA, ultimately enhancing the standard of care for millions affected by this condition.

Transactions

Action Obligated Date
Amendment $1,164,376
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $0
Amendment $1,202,905
Amendment $1,202,905
Amendment $1,202,905
Original award $1,202,905
Show all 14

Subawards

Subrecipient Amount Awarded
Medical University Of South Carolina The MUSC will be enrolling patients as part of subaward 26-6401, USC 10015421, Award 1U01DC022447 for project titled “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to… $48,309
University Of Utah School Of Medicine The scope of work is detailed in the grant and broadly includes: 1. Hiring of Research SLP (Wambaugh & Kraemer) 2. Training and supervision of staff (Wambaugh &… $291,858
The Medical University Of South Carolina Aim 1. Establish the standard radiation doses from VFSSs in children. Using radiation exposure and fluoroscopy examination data from standard of care practices,… $169,017

Quick answers

Who received award U01DC022447?

U01DC022447 was awarded to University Of South Carolina by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communincation Disorders (National Institutes of Health) on September 1, 2025.

How much is award U01DC022447 worth?

$5,975,996 has been obligated on U01DC022447.

On GovTribe

See this award's full record

  • Every transaction and subaward
  • The recipient's other awards and teaming partners
  • Similar grant awards
  • Ask GovTribe AI about this award