Tests a non-invasive nerve stimulation device to aid stroke recovery
Tests a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device in adults recovering from stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Non-invasive VNS in Stroke Recovery
Key facts
- Where
- Houston, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- Houston Methodist Research InstituteHouston, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Trial code
- NCT06761404
- Record updated
- 2 March 2026
- Original description
To evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of non-invasive VNS to enhance stroke recoveryRead full original descriptionShow less
Non-invasive VNS in Stroke Recovery
To evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of non-invasive VNS to enhance stroke recovery
Inclusion: Symptomatic ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke verified by computerized axial tomography or magnetic resonance imaging resulting in hemiparesis (MRC 1-4); Age more than 18, Male or Female, All racial and ethnic groups; Entry into the study >6 months post onset; Patients who can safely undergo taVNS; Able to follow 2 step commands; Modified Ashworth Scale Score =<3 in the involved upper extremity; Passive range of motion within functional ranges at the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand; UFM =< 60 (scale 0-66).
Exclusion: Patients with pacemakers or stimulators that interfere with the stimulation, or other investigational devices or drugs; Patients with history of severe alcohol or drug abuse, psychiatric illnesses like severe depression, poor motivational capacity, or severe language disturbances, particularly of receptive nature or with serious cognitive deficits (defined as unable to follow study instructions); Patients with unstable cardiac arrhythmia, reentry tachycardia; Patients with severe uncontrolled medical problems (e.g. cardiovascular disease, severe rheumatoid arthritis, active joint deformity of arthritic origin, active cancer or renal disease, any kind of end-stage pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, or a deteriorated condition due to age, epilepsy or others); Patients with bilateral paresis, or weakness or sensory damage due to peripheral causes (e.g. peripheral nerve injury, muscle or orthopedic injury etc.); Subjects with contraindication to MRI of the brain; Pregnancy; Non-English speaking individuals will only be eligible if they can provide the appropriate translator for all the sessions of the study as no funding is available to pay for such services. However we plan to include them once funding has been secured in the subsequent larger trial.