Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation combined with dual-task training on upper limb func-tion in patients with ischemic stroke
ZOU Congcong
WANG Xiaojun
MA Jinrong
LU Shangbo
DING Yong
WANG Hani
SONG Jianfei
Abstract：Objective To explore the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS)combined with dual-task training(DTT)on upper limb function recovery in patients with ischemic stroke.
Methods From January to October,2024,60 ischemic stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction admitted to Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center were selected and randomly divided into control group(n=30)and observation group(n=30).Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training.The control group underwent sham-taVNS combined with DTT,while the observation group received active taVNS combined with DTT,for four weeks.Before and after treatment,they were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),Action Research Arm Test(ARAT),modified Barthel Index(MBI)and motor-evoked potential(MEP)tests.
Results The FMA-UE scores,ARAT scores,MBI scores,MEP amplitude and MEP latency improved in both groups af-ter treatment(|t|>3.670,P<0.01),and were superior in the observation group than in the control group(|t|>3.081,P<0.01).
Conclusion The combination of taVNS and DTT can significantly improve upper limb function,enhance activities of daily living,and promote neurological recovery in patients with ischemic stroke.
Keywords：ischemic strokeupper limbdysfunctiontranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulationdual-task trainingmotor-evoked potential
Publication Date：2025-05-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 513-519 )