Combining Closed-loop Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Focal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as an Adjuvant Treatment for Acute and Subacute Strokes
Ischemic stroke, the most prevalent neurological disorder, is treated with medication and thrombectomy but with limited success, especially in chronic stages where traditional rehabilitation is the primary option. Stroke often leads to post-stroke autonomic imbalance, deteriorating functional outcomes and increasing recurrence risk. Emerging non-pharmacological treatments like Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Focused Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) offer new possibilities. VNS targets post-stroke tissue injury and promotes healing and neurogenesis, while tDCS aims to enhance motor learning by rebalancing brain activity. Both therapies seek to improve outcomes in both acute and chronic stroke stages.
• Age ≥ 18 years old
• Subacute ischemic stroke patients within 7-30 days after stroke symptoms is stabilized
• Stroke will be documented by DWI-MRI
• Lesion locations at least involve supratentorial area
• Patients have unilateral weakness documented with manual muscle testing scales less than 4
• Stable vital signs and stable neurological signs
• Able to receive regular rehabilitation programs, and 8) modified Rankin Scales (mRS) less than 5.