Clinical Trial: Effects of the Combination of RRT With tDCS on Dyslexic Adults

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Combining A Rhythmic Intervention With tDCS to Improve Reading Skills in Dyslexic Adults

Brief Summary: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of Rhythmic Reading Training (RRT), a computer-assisted intervention method that combines sublexical reading exercises with rhythm processing, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on reading abilities of a group of Italian undergraduate students with dyslexia. Two experimental conditions (active vs. sham) will be compared. Finally, the effects of the intervention on other cognitive functions involved in the process of reading (i.e., rapid automatized naming, verbal working memory, rhythm perception abilities) will be measured.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Text reading speed expressed in syllables per seconds [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
    The ability to read aloud a text was assessed using the Italian standardized test 'Prova di velocità di lettura di brani' (Zoccolotti, Fondazione S. Lucia), which provides speed and accuracy scores in reading aloud age-normed texts.
  • Text reading accuracy expressed in number of errors [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
    The ability to read aloud a text was assessed using the Italian standardized test 'Prova di velocità di lettura di brani' (Zoccolotti, Fondazione S. Lucia), which provides speed and accuracy scores in reading aloud age-normed texts.
  • Word reading speed expressed in syllables per seconds [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
    The ability to read aloud lists of words was assessed using the following Italian standardized tests: 'Assessment battery for Developmental Dyslexia and Dysorthography-2' (Batteria per la valutazione della dislessia e disortografia evolutiva - DDE-2), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for word reading (4 lists of 28 words each with different lengths and frequency of use); 'Word and pseudo-word reading test' (WPRT, Prova di lettura di parole e non parole), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for word reading (4 lists of 30 words varying according to length: short vs. long and frequency of use: low vs. high frequency).
  • Word reading accuracy expressed in number of errors [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
    The ability to read aloud lists of words was assessed using the following

    Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

    Current Secondary Outcome:

    • Rapid Automatized Naming [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
      Rapid Automatized Naming of colours and figures
    • Verbal Working Memory [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
      Onwards and backwards digit span
    • Rhythm Discrimination [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
      Rhythm discrimination task


    Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

    Information By: Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

    Dates:
    Date Received: April 6, 2017
    Date Started: April 18, 2017
    Date Completion: September 4, 2017
    Last Updated: April 12, 2017
    Last Verified: April 2017