Background: Script training is an
aphasia treatment approach that has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on communication of individuals with
aphasia; however, it is time intensive as a therapeutic modality. To augment
therapy-induced neuroplasticity,
transcranial direct current stimulation (
tDCS) may be implemented.
tDCS has been paired with other speech-language treatments, however, has not been investigated with script training. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine if
tDCS improves communication proficiency when paired with script training, compared to script training alone. Methods and Procedures: A single-subject experimental design was implemented with a participant with non-
fluent aphasia, using two scripts across treatment conditions: script training with
sham-
tDCS, and script training with anodal-
tDCS. Treatment sessions were 75 min long, administered three times weekly. Anodal
tDCS was implemented for 20 min with a current of 1.5 mA over the right inferior frontal gyrus. Results: Large effect sizes were obtained on script mastery for both stimulation conditions (anodal d 2 = 9.94;
sham d 2 = 11.93).
tDCS did not improve script accuracy, however, there was a significant improvement in the rate of change of script pace relative to baseline (3.99 seconds/day, p < 0.001) in the anodal
tDCS condition. Conclusion: Despite a null
tDCS result on accuracy, the script training protocol increased script performance to a near-fluent level of communication. There is preliminary evidence to suggest that
tDCS may alter the rate of script acquisition, however, further research to corroborate this finding is required. Implications for future studies are discussed.