The Effect of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Language Production in Post-stroke Aphasia

All participants will receive a 6-week block of language treatment for improving verb retrieval in discourse production by a professional speech and language therapist. The treatment goals for this block of treatment are to 1) improve verb retrieval and language quantity and complexity in discourse production 2) improve functional communication skills and; 3) improve quality of life and psychological state in people with post-stroke chronic aphasia.

Transcranial direct-current stimulation is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can modify spontaneous cortical activity in targeted brain regions. Anodal tDCS delivered through a positively charged electrode has been found to increase cortical excitability in a targeted brain region. The use of tDCS as an adjunct to speech and language therapy has been found to improve aphasia treatment effects in post stroke patient populations.