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Brain Stimulation With Combined Reading and Motor Training for Children With Dyslexia
Sponsor: Shahid Beheshti University
Summary
This study examines whether combining non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS) with an integrated reading-and-motor training program improves reading and phonological processing in 9-year-old boys with developmental dyslexia. Children with dyslexia often have difficulties in phonological awareness and fine motor skills. This study targets two brain areas at the same time: the left temporoparietal junction (important for reading and phonological processing) and the left primary motor cortex (important for hand movements and speech-related motor processes). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of eight groups. Some groups will receive active brain stimulation, and some will receive sham (inactive) stimulation, while also participating in different types of training: phonological awareness training, fine motor training, combined phonological and fine motor training, or no training. The treatment includes 20 sessions, three times per week for about 7 weeks. Reading and phonological skills will be measured before treatment, immediately after treatment, and again 3 months and 6 months later. The study will help determine whether a full treatment package-using brain stimulation together with combined reading and motor training-is more effective than single treatments or usual school education.
Official title: Effectiveness of Dual-Site tDCS Combined With Integrated Phonological and Fine Motor Intervention in 9-Year-Old Boys With Developmental Dyslexia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
108 Months - 119 Months
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
160
Start Date
2026-08-23
Completion Date
2027-08-01
Last Updated
2026-08-25
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Active tDCS will be delivered at 1 milliampere for 20 minutes per session, 20 sessions over about 7 weeks. The montage varies by arm: left temporoparietal (TPJ) montage, left primary motor cortex (M1) montage, or dual-site TPJ+M1 montage.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Sham tDCS will use the same electrode positions as the active groups, but the current will be applied for only 30 seconds and then gradually ramped down.
Phonological awareness training
20 sessions of 60 minutes each, three times per week for about 7 weeks. Covers syllable segmentation, rhyme, phoneme blending and segmentation, initial and final phoneme identification, phoneme manipulation, and grapheme-to-phoneme mapping.
Non-targeted fine motor training
20 sessions of 60 minutes each, three times per week for about 7 weeks. Includes activities without linguistic content, such as free play with dough, bead threading, pegboard tasks, and other manual dexterity exercises.
Integrated phonological and fine motor intervention
20 sessions of 60 minutes each, three times per week for about 7 weeks. Combines phonological awareness training with targeted fine motor activities linked to reading, such as forming letters with dough and stringing beads marked with phonemes.
Usual school education
Participants receive the standard school curriculum without additional cognitive or motor training.
Locations (1)
Consultation, Psychological, Research and Specialized Services Center of Isfahan Province General Department of Education
Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran