Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Mobility Training to Improve Walking After Chronic Ischemic Stroke

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the use of vagus nerve stimulation VNS combined with mobility training to improve walking ability and leg function in people who have had a chronic ischemic stroke. This study aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of this combined treatment approach. The trial is sponsored by Mayo Clinic and focuses on individuals who experienced their stroke at least six months ago. Participants will undergo a 6-week period of in-clinic therapy, attending three sessions per week. During these sessions, a physical therapist will guide mobility exercises while VNS is delivered using a handheld magnet. After this, participants will continue with a 6-week at-home rehabilitation phase, performing daily exercises and using VNS. Weekly video calls and wearable activity monitors will support and track their progress remotely. Throughout the study, researchers will assess the number of serious side effects related to VNS or therapy over one year, the number of participants who complete the study, and changes in walking ability measured by an instrumented gait assessment at the start and after 12 months. Participants will engage in various assessments during the trial, and safety will be closely monitored. The total duration of participation includes the therapy phases and follow-up evaluations over the course of a year.

A Study Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) With Mobility Training For Gait Recovery After Chronic Ischemic Stroke