Combined taVNS and tDCS in Subacute Stroke Patients

Ischemic stroke, the most prevalent neurological disorder, is treated with medication and thrombectomy but with limited success, especially in chronic stages where traditional rehabilitation is the primary option. Stroke often leads to post-stroke autonomic imbalance, deteriorating functional outcomes and increasing recurrence risk. Emerging non-pharmacological treatments like Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Focused Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) offer new possibilities. VNS targets post-stroke tissue injury and promotes healing and neurogenesis, while tDCS aims to enhance motor learning by rebalancing brain activity. Both therapies seek to improve outcomes in both acute and chronic stroke stages.

NCT Number	NCT06244914
Lead Sponsor	National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Conditions	Ischemic Stroke
Enrollment	80 participants
Start Date	2024-02-15
Primary Completion	2025-04-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-04-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2024-03-20