Authors
Teresa J Kimberley, Isha Vora, Steven C Cramer, Steven L Wolf, Jesse Dawson, VNS-REHAB Trial Group
Published in
Neurology. Volume 107. Issue 3. Pages e218298. Aug 11, 2026. Epub Jul 14, 2026.
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation improves short-term upper extremity (UE) function in people with chronic ischemic stroke. Because sustained improvements are needed for people with stroke, we examined the long-term effects of Paired VNS on impairment, activity, participation, and quality of life.
This is a post hoc analysis of 2-year data of the triple-blind, sham-controlled, randomized VNS-REHAB pivotal trial. After receiving the full therapeutic protocol with either real (Active) or sham (Control) VNS, participants continued self-activated active stimulation for at least 2 years. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), participation, and quality of life outcomes were assessed at multiple time points.
Pooled 2-year outcome data were available from 49 participants. At the 2-year point, FMA-UE scores improved 7.51 points (95% CI 5.80-9.22; p < 0.001), and WFMT scores improved 0.63 points (0.50-0.75; p < 0.001) from baseline. There were significant improvements from baseline in 5 of 7 participation and quality of life measures at 2 years. Improvements were retained at 3 years among a subset of participants (n = 16).
The sustained improvements in UE impairment and function for at least 2 years make this an important treatment option for a defined subset of individuals with chronic arm and hand deficits after ischemic stroke.
ClinicalTrials.gov/study/NCT03131960.
PMID:
42447422
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jul 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 2
- Comments 0