Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia
Abstract The cerebellum has emerged as a potential target for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in post-stroke aphasia (PSA) due to its role in language processing and relative preservation compared to supratentorial lesions. Recent evidence also highlights the cerebellum’s involvement...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90927-y |
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| author | Zhong Sheng Zheng Jing Wang Sharon Lee Kevin Xing-Long Wang Ben Zhang Melissa Howard Emily Rosario Caroline Schnakers |
| author_facet | Zhong Sheng Zheng Jing Wang Sharon Lee Kevin Xing-Long Wang Ben Zhang Melissa Howard Emily Rosario Caroline Schnakers |
| author_sort | Zhong Sheng Zheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The cerebellum has emerged as a potential target for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in post-stroke aphasia (PSA) due to its role in language processing and relative preservation compared to supratentorial lesions. Recent evidence also highlights the cerebellum’s involvement in affective and social processes, suggesting potential broader effects of cerebellar modulation. This study investigated the efficacy of anodal tDCS over the right cerebellum paired with speech and language therapy in enhancing language functions and quality of life in individuals with PSA. Twenty-two participants with chronic PSA received cerebellar tDCS, while historical sham control data from 25 participants were obtained. Language outcomes were assessed using the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R), and secondary outcomes included patient-reported measures of communication effectiveness and quality of life. Mixed-design analyses of variance were conducted to examine treatment effects. No significant Group x Time interaction was found for WAB-R scores, indicating that tDCS did not provide additional language benefits over speech therapy. However, a significant Group x Time interaction was observed for the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 scores, driven by improvements in the Psychosocial, Physical, and Energy subdomains in the tDCS group. Cerebellar tDCS did not significantly improve language outcomes in PSA individuals but enhanced specific aspects of quality of life. These findings highlight the cerebellum’s multifaceted role in cognitive, affective, and sensorimotor processes. Future research should focus on conducting well-powered, randomized, double-blind, and concurrent trials to validate these findings and explore optimal stimulation parameters in PSA rehabilitation. Trial registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the registration number NCT03699930. The date of registration is 10/05/2018. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6bac7c59626e43f4bcaa2924d3cd0f9d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-6bac7c59626e43f4bcaa2924d3cd0f9d2025-08-20T03:04:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-011511910.1038/s41598-025-90927-yCerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasiaZhong Sheng Zheng0Jing Wang1Sharon Lee2Kevin Xing-Long Wang3Ben Zhang4Melissa Howard5Emily Rosario6Caroline Schnakers7Research Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcareResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcareResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcarePsychology Department, University of CaliforniaResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcareResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcareResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcareResearch Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for HealthcareAbstract The cerebellum has emerged as a potential target for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in post-stroke aphasia (PSA) due to its role in language processing and relative preservation compared to supratentorial lesions. Recent evidence also highlights the cerebellum’s involvement in affective and social processes, suggesting potential broader effects of cerebellar modulation. This study investigated the efficacy of anodal tDCS over the right cerebellum paired with speech and language therapy in enhancing language functions and quality of life in individuals with PSA. Twenty-two participants with chronic PSA received cerebellar tDCS, while historical sham control data from 25 participants were obtained. Language outcomes were assessed using the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R), and secondary outcomes included patient-reported measures of communication effectiveness and quality of life. Mixed-design analyses of variance were conducted to examine treatment effects. No significant Group x Time interaction was found for WAB-R scores, indicating that tDCS did not provide additional language benefits over speech therapy. However, a significant Group x Time interaction was observed for the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 scores, driven by improvements in the Psychosocial, Physical, and Energy subdomains in the tDCS group. Cerebellar tDCS did not significantly improve language outcomes in PSA individuals but enhanced specific aspects of quality of life. These findings highlight the cerebellum’s multifaceted role in cognitive, affective, and sensorimotor processes. Future research should focus on conducting well-powered, randomized, double-blind, and concurrent trials to validate these findings and explore optimal stimulation parameters in PSA rehabilitation. Trial registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the registration number NCT03699930. The date of registration is 10/05/2018.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90927-yAphasiaStrokeTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)CerebellumStroke and aphasia quality of life scale-39 (SAQOL-39)Psychosocial |
| spellingShingle | Zhong Sheng Zheng Jing Wang Sharon Lee Kevin Xing-Long Wang Ben Zhang Melissa Howard Emily Rosario Caroline Schnakers Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia Scientific Reports Aphasia Stroke Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) Cerebellum Stroke and aphasia quality of life scale-39 (SAQOL-39) Psychosocial |
| title | Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia |
| title_full | Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia |
| title_fullStr | Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia |
| title_short | Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia |
| title_sort | cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation improves quality of life in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia |
| topic | Aphasia Stroke Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) Cerebellum Stroke and aphasia quality of life scale-39 (SAQOL-39) Psychosocial |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90927-y |
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