๐ฌIn plain words
What the trial is, and whether it could suit you
The goal of this study is to find out whether a type of noninvasive brain stimulation can help reduce speech errors, such as repetitions, blocks, and prolongations, in people who stutter. This pilot study will help researchers design future treatments to see if targeting certain brain areas can improve speech fluency. The study will look at how people speak and behave during both speaking and non-speaking tasks before and after the brain stimulation.
Participants will complete an online survey about 24 hours before coming to the clinic. The clinic visit will last about 3 hours and will include three phases. All parts of the study will be audio-recorded.
1. Pre-Testing: Participants will first complete a stuttering evaluation to determine whether they are typical speakers or have a mild, moderate, or severe stutter. Then, they will do several speaking and non-speaking tasks.
2. Brain St
Sign in to get the eligibility rules as simple questions to take to your doctor.
๐ Eligibility rules (as published)
Inclusion Criteria:
* Must be 22 years old or older
* May be bi/multilingual but must speak English as dominant language.
* Must be diagnosed or suspected of developmental stuttering disorder. Participants will be administered the Stuttering Severity Instrument 4 and categorized as typical speakers or mild, moderate, or severe stutterers.
* Must be able to attend the session at the physical location within the clinic
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with preexisting speech/language disorders or previously diagnosed neurological disorders (including but not limited to apraxia of speech, cerebral palsy, dysarthria, tourettes, or any other neurological/motor condition) that affect speech/language (except stuttering) are excluded to minimize the interference of atypical brain activity.
* Participants who have acquired or neurogenic stuttering (stuttering resulting from a brain injury) are excluded, as this study focuses exclusively on the effects of developmental stuttering.
* Participants with a history of seizures
* Participants with unexplained episodes of loss of consciousness, since such condition could be related with brain alterations or epilepsy
* Participants with unstable or non controlled neuropsychiatric illness
* Participants having implanted brain medical devices
* Participants with implanted pacemakers
* Participants having any electrically,magnetically or mechanically activated implant
* Participants having cardiac, neural or medication implants
* Participants having vascular clips or any other electrically sensitive support system in the brain
* Participants with serious brain injury
* Participants showing damage of skin at sites of stimulation (the device can only be used in healthy skin without wounds, otherwise the resistance to current can be altered)
* Participants suffering from skin problems, such as dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema
* Participants suffering from severe or frequent headaches
* Participants with any serious life-threatening disease such as congestive heart failure, pulmonary obstructive chronic disease, or active neoplasia
* Pregnant women
* Participants may not consume alcohol or controlled substances within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment
Participants will complete an additional screener upon enrollment to assess medical history and current drug/medication use that may conflict with the study.
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What it tests
- High - Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Callier Clinical Research Center
Richardson, United States
๐ค Taking part is your choice, and you can leave at any time. Only the trial team can confirm you are eligible โ always decide together with your own doctor.