title: Transcranial direct current stimulation and aphasia: the case of mr. C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate the ethical challenges that arose from investigating a novel treatment procedure, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in a research participant with aphasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the current evidence supporting the use of tDCS in aphasia research, highlighting methodological gaps in our knowledge of tDCS. Then, we examine the case of Mr. C, a person with chronic aphasia who participated in a research protocol investigating the impact of tDCS on aphasia treatment. We describe the procedures that he underwent and the resulting behavioral and neurophysiological outcomes. Finally, we share the steps that were taken to balance beneficence and nonmaleficence and to ensure Mr. C's autonomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The objective data show that while Mr. C may not have benefitted from participating in the research, neither did he experience any harm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Researchers must consider not only the scientific integrity of their studies, but also potential ethical issues and consequences to the research participants.
authors: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Leora R
authors: LR
authors: Cherney
authors: Edna M
authors: EM
authors: Babbitt
authors: Rosalind
authors: R
authors: Hurwitz
authors: Lynn M
authors: LM
authors: Rogers
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Stinear
authors: Xue
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: Richard L
authors: RL
authors: Harvey
authors: Todd
authors: T
authors: Parrish
mesh_terms: D001037:Aphasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen