Study on Electrical Nerve Stimulation to Improve Thinking and Arm Movement in Adults With Chronic Stroke Aged 50 to 80

What this Trial Is About

Upper limb impairment affects more than 85% of people who have had a stroke, significantly impacting their quality of life, social activities, and daily tasks. Cognitive impairment after stroke is also common, affecting areas such as attention, memory, language, and orientation, with memory problems often being prominent. There is currently no effective treatment for cognitive impairment following stroke. This research aims to evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS on improving both upper limb function and cognitive function in people with chronic stroke. The study compares three intervention groups. Group A will receive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation tSCS at the C6 and T5 spinal levels combined with upper limb exercises. Group B will receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation tVNS on the left outer ears cymba conchae along with upper limb exercises. Group C will receive placebo stimulation with upper limb exercises. Each participant will undergo eighteen 45-minute sessions over six weeks, at three sessions per week. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, mid-intervention 3 weeks, post-intervention 6 weeks, and at a 1-month follow-up 10 weeks. Assessments include the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to measure motor and cognitive function. Secondary tests include the Wolf Motor Function Test, muscle strength and stiffness measurements, memory tests, activity measures, and quality of life surveys. The study monitors changes over time to assess the effectiveness of the interventions.

Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Motor Function in People With Chronic Stroke