Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Treatment of Dysarthria Post-stroke
Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Enhance Treatment of Dysarthria Post-stroke
The proposed study aims to determine if transcranial direct current stimulation can enhance
 the effect of speech therapy in post-stroke patients with dysarthria.
A total of 60 Cantonese-speaking post-stroke patients who are suffering from dysarthria will
 be recruited and randomly divided into real tDCS and sham groups. All the participants will
 receive individualized speech therapy based on the results of their speech assessment.

 For the real tDCS group, an anodal high-definition tDCS of 2 milliamperes (mA) lasting for 20
 minutes will be delivered to the orofacial area of the primary motor cortex (SM1) during
 speech therapy. For the sham tDCS group, stimulation given during speech therapy will only
 last for 30 seconds in order to cause a similar sensation on the scalp as the real
 stimulation group. There will be a total of 10 daily sessions during a 2-week period.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Cantonese-speaking adults who had their first stroke and have suffered dysarthria
 post-stroke.

 -  Both acute and chronic stroke participants will be recruited.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Individuals with a personal or family history of epilepsy or seizures;

 -  Individuals with a history of another neurological condition (which is not a result
 from the initial stroke);

 -  Individuals with a history of speech disorders, voice disorders, oro-maxillo-facial
 surgery involving the tongue and/or lip, severe cognitive impairment, severe aphasia;

 -  In an unstable or serious medical condition;

 -  Have a cardiac implant metallic foreign body implant and/or any medications that lower
 neural thresholds (e.g. antidepressants, neuroleptic agents, etc.).