EEG Changes Related to taVNS in Stroke Patients: a Preliminary Study

Description

In the United States, more than 795,000 people have a stroke every year. Motor impairment after a stroke is common and can be debilitating. To date, there remain few treatments available to help improve motor recovery after a stroke, making this an important area of research. Novel use of neuromodulation such as Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve motor recovery in stroke patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), in which the nerve is stimulated with electrical pulses, has demonstrated success for a variety of conditions, including inflammation, depression, cognitive dysfunction, chronic fatigue, headaches/migraines, pain, insomnia, and cardiovascular issues. Very recently, non-invasive options have been developed and might be a promising alternative. The research in this area is still very limited and much more research is needed to investigate non-invasive/trancutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) related biomechanisms and to further support its efficacy in acute patients. The purpose of this study is to build upon the current research to investigate changes in electrical brain activity (using electrophysiology) related to improvements in both motor and cognitive recovery following the use of taVNS in acute stroke patients.

Conditions

Stroke

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

In the United States, more than 795,000 people have a stroke every year. Motor impairment after a stroke is common and can be debilitating. To date, there remain few treatments available to help improve motor recovery after a stroke, making this an important area of research. Novel use of neuromodulation such as Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve motor recovery in stroke patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), in which the nerve is stimulated with electrical pulses, has demonstrated success for a variety of conditions, including inflammation, depression, cognitive dysfunction, chronic fatigue, headaches/migraines, pain, insomnia, and cardiovascular issues. Very recently, non-invasive options have been developed and might be a promising alternative. The research in this area is still very limited and much more research is needed to investigate non-invasive/trancutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) related biomechanisms and to further support its efficacy in acute patients. The purpose of this study is to build upon the current research to investigate changes in electrical brain activity (using electrophysiology) related to improvements in both motor and cognitive recovery following the use of taVNS in acute stroke patients.

EEG Changes Related to Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) in Acute Stroke Patients: a Preliminary Study

EEG Changes Related to taVNS in Stroke Patients: a Preliminary Study

Condition
Stroke
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pomona

Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona, California, United States, 91769

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * First-time Cerebrovascular Accident (Ischemic or Hemorrhagic)
  • * Within a month post-injury
  • * Advanced cardiac, pulmonary, liver, or kidney disease
  • * Bradycardia (Resting HR \< 60)
  • * Presence of Apraxia, Aphasia or confusion
  • * Other musculoskeletal or neurologic diseases that could interfere with the outcome measures
  • * Previous surgical intervention on the vagus nerve
  • * Participation in other clinical trials
  • * Alcohol or drug abuse

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare,

Elliott Block, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare

Study Record Dates

2025-06-30