Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) in Stuttering
Eligible age
18–65 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this study
The purpose of this study is to investigate how mild, noninvasive electrical brain stimulation affects speech relevant brain areas, which may in turn affect speech fluency and speaking-related brain activity in people that stutter. The long-term goal of this study is to test the therapeutic potential of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for the treatment of stuttering. The study team hypothesizes that if stuttering involves impaired initiation of motor programs, delta-tuned tACS will strengthen communication between brain regions and decrease stuttering. Therefore, delta-tuned sensorimotor tACS will be paired with fluency-induced speech (choral reading), which is hypothesized to decrease stuttering via improved auditory motor integration.
Sponsor: University of Michigan
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Have normal language, hearing, and cognition
- ✓ Speak English as the primary language
- ✓ Currently stutter
- ✓ Score (per protocol) a certain value on the Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI-4).
- ✓ Have not received any treatment for stuttering within the past year
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ History of seizures
- ✕ Major medical or neurological illness (e.g., stroke, serious head trauma, brain infection, Parkinson's disease, etc.)
- ✕ History of closed head injury with loss of consciousness (e.g., concussion)
- ✕ Metal or electronic implants such as cochlear implants and pacemakers anywhere in the body
- ✕ Braids or other hair styling that prevents direct access to the scalp (if removal not possible)
- ✕ Currently pregnant
Where it's recruiting
Ann Arbor
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06740968 · last updated 2026-10-13