Comperative Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular and Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Subacute Stroke Patients

This study aims to determine whether transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) via auricular or cervical branches enhances recovery when combined with task-specific training in subacute stroke patients. We anticipate finding that both stimulation methods may improve upper limb motor function compared to conventional therapy. The research is expected to reveal specific cognitive domains (attention, memory, executive function) that benefit most from each stimulation approach, while also demonstrating meaningful improvements in patients' quality of life measures. These findings may make a significant practical contribution by providing clinicians with evidence-based guidance on suitable tVNS approach for improving functional independence and quality of life for stroke survivors.

NCT Number	NCT07253870
Lead Sponsor	Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
Conditions	Stroke, Stroke, Acute
Enrollment	54 participants
Start Date	2025-11-20
Primary Completion	2026-06-20 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-06-20 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-18