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Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) in Stuttering
Improving Neural Oscillation and Synchrony Between Motor and Auditory Regions in Stuttering Using Personalized Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)
Who can join
Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria for stutterers: * 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 Exclusion Criteria for stutterers: * 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
About the 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.
What is being tested
- transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) (device)
Sponsor: University of Michigan · Participants: 80 · Started: Aug 5, 2025
Contact the study team
- Soo-Eun Chang, PhD · Phone: 734-232-0300
- Emily Garnett, PhD · Phone: 734-232-3371
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06740968
Locations in the U.S.
| Michigan | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.