Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and Spoken Language

This study aims to understand how a 'mini-stroke' (Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA) affects people's speaking abilities and their confidence in communicating. While many people seem to recover fully within 24 hours, this research explores if there are subtle, long-lasting issues. Researchers will ask 30 people who have had a TIA to complete speaking tasks and fill out questionnaires. They will compare these results with 60 people who haven't had a TIA. The study will look at how speaking skills and communication confidence might change up to three months after a TIA. The goal is to improve care and develop better support for people affected by TIAs.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Newcastle University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2027

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

What is this study about?

This research project is looking into how a 'mini-stroke', also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), might affect people's speaking skills and their confidence in talking to others. Every year, about 46,000 people in the UK have a TIA. Often, it's thought that people make a complete recovery within 24 hours, but researchers are curious if there might be subtle, longer-term issues with speaking and feeling confident about communicating.

The study aims to discover if TIAs make speaking more difficult, even if it's not immediately obvious. They also want to understand if people who have had a TIA worry about their speech or other thinking skills. Finally, they'll check if these speaking abilities and people's own feelings about their communication change over about three months after the TIA.

The new knowledge gained from this study could be very important. It could change how we think about TIA recovery and lead to better support from healthcare professionals like speech therapists and doctors. Ultimately, this research could help create new guidelines and treatments to improve the quality of life for people who have experienced a TIA.

Key takeaways

The study explores subtle, long-term speech and communication effects after a TIA.
It aims to improve understanding and care for TIA patients.
Participation involves speaking tasks and questionnaires, not medication.
Results could lead to new guidelines and support for TIA recovery.
You participate in a safe, quiet setting, helping future patients.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be between 40 and 85 years old. You must have had a TIA that affected the carotid circulation, which is a specific type of mini-stroke.

You cannot take part if you are younger than 40 or older than 85. Also, if English isn't your first language, you wouldn't be able to join this particular study. The study also cannot include individuals who have other brain-related conditions like Parkinson's disease, dementia, or a regular stroke, or if you already had speech or thinking problems before your TIA.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 40 and 85 years old?
Have you had a TIA (mini-stroke) that affected a specific part of your brain (carotid circulation)?
Is English your main spoken language?
Do you *not* have other brain conditions like Parkinson's, dementia, or a previous stroke?
Have you *not* had existing speech or thinking problems before your TIA?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll visit the research team. During your visit, you'll be asked to complete some simple speaking tasks in a quiet room. For example, you might be asked to talk about your weekend or share your thoughts on topics like climate change. You’ll also fill out some questionnaires about your memory, communication skills, and how confident you feel when talking to others. The total time spent participating in the study isn't specified, but the speaking tasks and questionnaires will be done in a single session. For some participants, there will be a follow-up assessment about three months after their TIA.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is helping researchers better understand the effects of TIAs, which could lead to improved care for others in the future. The risks of taking part are very low; you might feel a little tired from answering questions or talking, but all information you share will be kept private. You are free to stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Newcastle University
Verified postcode
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'mini-stroke'?

A 'mini-stroke' is also called a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). It's like a stroke, but the symptoms are temporary, usually lasting a few minutes and going away within 24 hours.

Why are researchers interested in speaking after a TIA?

Even though symptoms often disappear quickly, researchers want to see if a TIA can cause subtle, long-lasting changes in how people speak or how confident they feel communicating.

Will I have to take any medicine in this study?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medicines. It focuses on understanding speaking abilities and communication confidence.

How long will my involvement in the study last?

You will complete speaking tasks and questionnaires during one visit. Some participants will have a follow-up assessment about three months later.

What will happen to the information I give?

All information you provide will be kept private and used only for research. It will help researchers learn more about TIAs and how to support people better.

How to find out more

Christos Salis, PhD

christos.salis@ncl.ac.uk +441912088875 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.