Neuromodulation for Functional Recovery After Stroke

This study used a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled design. The trial protocol was jointly designed by the principal investigator and an executive committee composed of experts in functional neurosurgery, cerebrovascular disease, and rehabilitation medicine. The study enrolled patients in the subacute phase (3-6 months) after ischemic stroke with upper limb motor impairment. All patients were implanted with a vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device and randomly assigned to an active VNS (0.8 mA) group combined with upper limb rehabilitation or a control VNS (0.0 mA) group. This study used the FMA-UE score, WMFT score, and other measures to assess changes in impairment severity. The primary endpoint was the difference in FMA-UE score between the active VNS group and the control group at the end of 6 weeks of hospital treatment. Secondary endpoints included changes from baseline in FMA-UE score and WMFT score at 90 days, among others. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation for improving upper limb motor function in patients in the subacute phase after stroke, ultimately providing clinical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of this patient population.