MGH Institute of Health Professions
Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to enhance upper extremity motor recovery after ischemic stroke. Prior studies have focused primarily on long-term clinical outcomes, leaving the short-term physiologic response to the intervention poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to examine real-time responses to Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) in individuals with chronic motor impairments after ischemic stroke to better inform Paired VNS dosing. We plan to enroll 50 participants into a single-arm study and perform neurophysiologic assessments during VNS to identify objective markers of stimulation response and examine dose-response relationships.
Participants who have been implanted with a Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) device for motor rehabilitation following ischemic stroke will be recruited after starting clinical Paired VNS therapy. Participants will complete at least one study session during which physiologic responses to VNS will be recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) and pupillometry while stimulation is delivered across a range of intensities (0.0-1.6 mA). These assessments will be used to characterize dose-dependent responses to VNS and identify stimulation parameters associated with the greatest physiologic response.…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years old and ≤ 80 years old 2. Implanted with VNS device for post-stroke motor rehabilitation 3. Ability to follow simple commands in English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Prior history of developmental, neurologic, or major psychiatric disorder resulting in functional disability 2. Visual or auditory disorders limiting ability to participate in study procedures 3. Evidence of an uncontrolled seizure disorder 4. Patients for whom EEG leads are contraindicated 5. Pregnancy
All participants enrolled in the study will receive stimulation across a range of intensities. (Minimum intensity = 0.0 mA, Maximum Intensity = 1.6 mA).
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