Motor and Cognitive Modulation of a Single Session of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Post Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to explore whether a single session of transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) can enhance the ipsilesional, and contralesional upper limb motor functions as well as cognitive functions in stroke patients. The effects of the stimulation were evaluated through two different tasks: the Box and Block Test (BB), indexing manual dexterity, and the Go/No-go task, a visuomotor paradigm used to assess both motor readiness and response inhibition. Tests were administered without tVNS, during tVNS and during sham tVNS. Results: The BB showed a statistical difference for both contralesional side (p=0.05) between Basal-Real condition (p=0.042) and ipsilesional side (p=0.001) between Basal-Real (p=0.008) and for Real-Sham (p=0.005). Any statistical difference was found for the mean latencies in the three conditions of the Go/No-go test. Conclusion: A single session of tVNS seems to improve upper limb motor functions but not cognitive functions in post-stroke patients, despite a positive trend was detected. INDEX TERMS cognitive functions, ipsilesional upper limb motor functions, modulation, stroke rehabilitation, transcutaneous Vagus Nerve StimulationIMPACT STATEMENT A single session of tVNS is able to modify manual dexterity of both the ipsilesional and contralesional upper limb in post-stroke patients.

Closed-loop transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for the improvement of upper extremity motor function in stroke patients: a study protocol

“…Although no statistically significant differences were found from less than 10 patients in each group, this study highlights the potential of utilizing an EMG-triggered closed-loop taVNS system to achieve precise stimulation paired with each movement training. Although these findings indicate taVNS as a valuable tool for post-stroke rehabilitation of acute [0.5 month after stroke ( 28 , 29 )], subacute [3 months after stroke ( 28 , 30 )], and recovery [6 months after stroke ( 27 , 29 )] phases, it remains unknown whether the concurrent application of taVNS and motor movement training is critical for stroke rehabilitation. A comprehensive and random controlled clinical trial with a sufficient sample size is essential to directly validate the clinical effectiveness of taVNS when administered concurrently with motor movements through EMG-triggered closed-loop system.…”