Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in poststroke cognitive impairment: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundAs one of the most common stroke sequelae, poststroke cognitive impairment significantly impacts 17.6%–83% of survivors, affecting their rehabilitation, daily living and quality of life. Improving cognitive abilities among patients in stroke recovery is therefore critical and urgent. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TAVNS) is a non-invasive, safe, cost-effective treatment with great potential for improving the cognitive function of poststroke patients. This clinical research will evaluate the effectiveness, and help elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms, of TAVNS for improving poststroke cognitive function.Methods and analysisA single-centre, parallel-group, allocation concealment, assessor-blinded randomised controlled clinical trial. We will allocate 88 recruited participants to the TAVNS or sham group for an intervention that will run for 8 weeks, 5 days per week with twice daily sessions lasting 30 min each. Blood tests will be performed and questionnaires issued at baseline and 8-week and 12 week follow-ups. Primary outcomes will be changes in cognitive function scores. Secondary outcomes will be changes in activities of daily living, quality of life and serum oxidative stress indicators.Ethics and disseminationThe Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine has approved the protocol (No. HN-LL-YJSLW-2022200). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR2200057808.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on poststroke cognitive impairment: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…As an important component of the peripheral nervous system, the vagus nerve activates the complex neuroendocrine network and plays an important role in regulating the brain’s recovery process after stroke 27. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has recently been recognised as having the potential to improve cognitive impairment 28–30. Stimulation of the vagus nerve can activate the solitary tract nucleus of the brainstem, further activating the basal nucleus and locus coeruleus neurons 31.…”