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Biomarkers of Paired VNS

Biomarkers of Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Stroke Motor Rehabilitation

Who can join

Ages 18 to 80 · All sexes

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

About the study

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.

What is being tested

• Vagus Nerve Stimulator (device)

Sponsor: MGH Institute of Health Professions · Participants: 50 · Started: Mar 26, 2026

Contact the study team

• Brain Recovery Lab Manager · Phone: 617-643-6564
• Teresa Kimberley, PhD, PT · Phone: (617) 643-9237

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07922200

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Ischemic Stroke
• Stroke

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.