Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in the Treatment of Language

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  • February 22, 2019
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  • Wedeen, Lena
    • Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences
  • Shannon, Chad
    • Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Abstract
  • Purpose or Research Questions: In adults with communicative impairments, are noninvasive brain stimulation techniques (i.e. Transcranial Direct Current and Magnetic Stimulations) in conjunction with traditional interventions more effective than traditional interventions alone when treating and rehabilitating acquired communication and literacy deficits? Background: Due to the lack of substantive structural intervention in the event of language impairment, the aim of the present systematic review is to procedurally assess studies in which noninvasive brain stimulation, in conjunction with traditional treatments, is used to rehabilitate language and communication. Methods/Proposed Methods: A systematic search of noninvasive brain stimulation studies was carried out using predefined search strings in 5 databases. The initial search resulted in 111 articles, which were then independently assessed to determine relevance based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patients must have been eighteen years of age or older and have suffered a cerebrovascular accident. Then, quality appraisals were completed on the remaining articles. Data from the selected studies will be extracted and then synthesized into a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation in language rehabilitation treatments. Results/Anticipated Results: The systematic review includes 6 articles; 2 randomized control trails, 2 clinical control trials, and 2 quality improvement studies. 6 out of 6 articles were rated as high quality, with an inter-rater reliability of 85%. Current research indicates a potentially positive effect of noninvasive brain stimulation when coupled with more traditional treatments. This manifests as an improved ability to name objects and engage in the fundamentals of language; however, further study is necessary regarding the placement of both anodes and cathodes and supplementary intervention. Discussion: Transcranial direct stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation may represent a novel and significantly beneficial structural supplement to traditional intervention. While more research is necessary to properly differentiate between the efficacy of tDCS and TMS, as well as the ideal placement of the anodal/cathodal array, this systematic review aims to serve as a foundation for evidence-based practice in the use of noninvasive brain stimulation to help rehabilitate language, especially in a post-stroke population.
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  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Department of Allied Health Sciences. Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Student Research Day (9th: 2017: Chapel Hill, NC)
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  • May 5, 2017

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