Effect of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Over the Right-hemisphere on Picture Naming in Chronic Aphasia

There are two opposing hypotheses, namely the interference and laterality-shift hypotheses, regarding the role of the right hemisphere (RH) in language recovery following a left hemisphere damage. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has received increasing attention as a potential complement to behavioural therapy. This preliminary study aimed to examine the effect of excitatory (anodal) stimulation of right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) on naming abilities of chronic people with aphasia (PWA) to examine the compensatory versus interference role of RH in language recovery, and to confirm the application of tDCS does not induce adverse effects on other cognitive and language functions.