Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about the beneficial effects of vagus nerve stimulation during stroke rehabilitation. Conventional physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation is a combination of stretching and strengthening dysfunctional limbs to improve motor function. A recent clinical trial has shown that combining vagus nerve stimulation with typical therapy can improve motor function at a greater rate. Vagus nerve stimulation can be done with an implanted device on the nerve in the neck or via the skin directly on a branch of the nerve on the ear. There are many theories to how vagus nerve stimulation can improve outcomes, but the most likely explanations are due to its anti-inflammatory effects and the release of activating neurotransmitters. Check out the video for more in depth information on how vagus nerve stimulation can improve stroke rehabilitation!
- Dawson J, Liu CY, Francisco GE, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischaemic stroke (VNS-REHAB): a randomised, blinded, pivotal, device trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10284):1545-1553.
- Briand MM, Gosseries O, Staumont B, Laureys S, Thibaut A. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation and Disorders of Consciousness: A Hypothesis for Mechanisms of Action. Front Neurol. 2020;11:933.
