Randomized trial of iReadMore word reading training and brain stimulation in central alexia

Woodhead, Z. V.J., Kerry, S. J., Aguilar, O. M., Ong, Y.-H., Hogan, J. S., Pappa, K. , Leff, A. P. and Crinion, J. T. (2018) Randomized trial of iReadMore word reading training and brain stimulation in central alexia. Brain, 141(7), pp. 2127-2141. (doi: 10.1093/brain/awy138) (PMID:29912350) (PMCID:PMC6118228)

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Abstract

Central alexia is an acquired reading disorder co-occurring with a generalized language deficit (aphasia). We tested the impact of a novel training app, ‘iReadMore’, and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the left inferior frontal gyrus, on word reading ability in central alexia. The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02062619). Twenty-one chronic stroke patients with central alexia participated. A baseline-controlled, repeated-measures, crossover design was used. Participants completed two 4-week blocks of iReadMore training, one with anodal stimulation and one with sham stimulation (order counterbalanced between participants). Each block comprised 34 h of iReadMore training and 11 stimulation sessions. Outcome measures were assessed before, between and after the two blocks. The primary outcome measures were reading ability for trained and untrained words. Secondary outcome measures included semantic word matching, sentence reading, text reading and a self-report measure. iReadMore training resulted in an 8.7% improvement in reading accuracy for trained words (95% confidence interval 6.0 to 11.4; Cohen’s d = 1.38) but did not generalize to untrained words. Reaction times also improved. Reading accuracy gains were still significant (but reduced) 3 months after training cessation. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (compared to sham), delivered concurrently with iReadMore, resulted in a 2.6% (95% confidence interval −0.1 to 5.3; d = 0.41) facilitation for reading accuracy, both for trained and untrained words. iReadMore also improved performance on the semantic word-matching test. There was a non-significant trend towards improved self-reported reading ability. However, no significant changes were seen at the sentence or text reading level. In summary, iReadMore training in post-stroke central alexia improved reading ability for trained words, with good maintenance of the therapy effect. Anodal stimulation resulted in a small facilitation (d = 0.41) of learning and also generalized to untrained items.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This trial was supported by the Medical Research Council (MR/K022563/1). J.C. is supported by a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship in Clinical Science (106161/Z/14/Z).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Pappa, Mrs Aikaterini
Authors: Woodhead, Z. V.J., Kerry, S. J., Aguilar, O. M., Ong, Y.-H., Hogan, J. S., Pappa, K., Leff, A. P., and Crinion, J. T.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Journal Name:Brain
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0006-8950
ISSN (Online):1460-2156
Published Online:15 June 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Brain 141(7): 2127-2141
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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