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Effect of Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Cognition in Chronic Stroke Patients

31 maggio 2026 aggiornato da: Ahmed Safwat Kamal, Cairo University
This study will be conducted to assess the effect of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation on cerebrovascular reactivity and cognition in chronic stroke patients

Panoramica dello studio

Descrizione dettagliata

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, resulting in physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments. These impairments significantly affect individuals, families, and communities. It imposes a substantial social and financial burden on healthcare systems and economies. Deficits in cognitive functions are highly associated with reduced treatment outcomes after stroke. This interferes with social and occupational recovery and limit psychosocial functioning.

Introducing new therapeutic methods such as non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) alongside traditional rehabilitation is essential for enhancing cognitive function after stroke. Vagus nerve stimulation can be invasive or non-invasive. Non-invasive method of VNS via transcutaneous stimulation of the peripheral auricular branch of the Vagus nerve (taVNS) is safer, better-tolerated method for delivering VNS with the same effect of invasive VNS.

There are few key human studies that assessed the effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) on cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and cognition in chronic stroke patients. Up to our knowledge, this is the first Egyptian study that will assess the effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cerebrovascular reactivity and cognition in chronic stroke patients. This study will hopefully be of benefit in the physical therapy field. This may guide rehabilitation programs of physical therapy toward better results.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

40

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Backup dei contatti dello studio

Luoghi di studio

      • Cairo, Egitto
        • Ahmed Safwat Kamal

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto

Accetta volontari sani

No

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Forty chronic ischemic hemiparetic patients, of both sexes, will represent the sample.
  • The patient's age will range from 50 to 60 years old.
  • Duration of illness will range from six months to twelve months.
  • Patients with mild cognitive impairment according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale (from 18 to 25).
  • Spasticity will be 1 or 1+ according to Modified Aschworth scale.
  • Educated patients.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • The patients will be excluded if they have one of the followings:
  • Patients with other neurological disease that affect cognition.
  • Visual, verbal or hearing impairments that can interfere with communication.
  • Depression assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale (Ham-D).
  • Patients with poor bone window.
  • History of psychiatric disease.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke patients.
  • Uncontrolled blood pressure or low heart rate.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes (>130 mg/dL especially if consistently over 150 to 160 mg/dL)
  • Patients with any taVNS contraindications (open heart surgery, pacemaker or other implants, previous surgical intervention on Vagus nerve, Facial or ear pain, and recent ear trauma)
  • Stroke patients with severe cognitive impairment.
  • Uncooperative patients.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Trattamento
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Doppio

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: True trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation group
Patients will receive true trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation and computer based cognitive rehabilitation training (CBCR; RehaCom), in addition to conventional physical therapy program.
Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation will be done through EME Therapic 9200 electrotherapy device (EME Physio, Via degli Abeti 88/161122 Pesaro (PU), Italy). A clip electrode will be applied on cymba conchae of left ear. Stimulation parameters will be set to 30 minutes treatment time, a pulse width of 300 microseconds, pulse frequency 30 HZ and a pulsed mode with a duty cycle of 50% (30 sec on and 30 sec off time).
The physical therapy program will include strengthening exercises to the antispastic muscles, stretching exercises to spastic muscles, gait training exercises, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises for upper limb and lower limb, and graduated balance exercise.
  • RehaCom (Dr. G. Schuhfrted Ges.m.b.II., model No. A-2340 device) will be used in this study for assessment and training two cognitive domains: attention/concentration and figural memory. Each patient will be in a comfortable sitting position in front of a screen during the session. The two domains will be assessed at the end of each session.
  • Attention/concentration domain (AC) includes 24 levels of difficulty. Assessment will start at level one and will be advanced to more challenging levels.
  • Figural memory domain includes nine levels of difficulty. Assessment will start at level one and will be advanced to more challenging levels.

Each cognitive training session will last 30 minutes, with 15 minutes dedicated to each targeted domain.

Comparatore attivo: Sham trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation group
Patients will receive sham trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS), and computer based cognitive rehabilitation training (CBCR; RehaCom) in addition to conventional physical therapy program.
The physical therapy program will include strengthening exercises to the antispastic muscles, stretching exercises to spastic muscles, gait training exercises, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises for upper limb and lower limb, and graduated balance exercise.
  • RehaCom (Dr. G. Schuhfrted Ges.m.b.II., model No. A-2340 device) will be used in this study for assessment and training two cognitive domains: attention/concentration and figural memory. Each patient will be in a comfortable sitting position in front of a screen during the session. The two domains will be assessed at the end of each session.
  • Attention/concentration domain (AC) includes 24 levels of difficulty. Assessment will start at level one and will be advanced to more challenging levels.
  • Figural memory domain includes nine levels of difficulty. Assessment will start at level one and will be advanced to more challenging levels.

Each cognitive training session will last 30 minutes, with 15 minutes dedicated to each targeted domain.

Patients will receive false trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation through EME Therapic 9200 electrotherapy device (EME Physio, Via degli Abeti 88/161122 Pesaro (PU), Italy). The ear clip electrode will be attached to the center of the left earlobe of the patient, as it is free from vagus innervation. Stimulation parameters will be set to 30 minutes treatment time, a pulse width of 300 microseconds, pulse frequency 30 HZ and a pulsed mode with a duty cycle of 50% (30 sec on and 30 sec off time).

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Breathing holding index
Lasso di tempo: 4 weeks

Transcranial doppler ultrasonography technique will be used to assess cerebrovascular reactivity by measuring the percentage increase in cerebral blood flow velocity during apnea, divided by the duration of breath hold in seconds.

Breath holding index will be calculated according to the following equation: BHI= ((Mean Flow Velocity (MFV) post- Mean Flow Velocity (MFV)rest/ Mean Flow Velocity (MFV)rest) × (100/Duration in second)) normal range:1.03-1.65.

4 weeks

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA):
Lasso di tempo: 4 weeks
It will be used to assess cognition before and after treatment period for all patients. Each patient will be asked to write and draw using the non-affected hand. The test consists of a single page, with reading items presented in a clear and appropriately sized font. The assessment will include short-term memory, executive functions, visuospatial abilities, language, attention, concentration, working memory, and temporal and spatial orientation. Total score of MoCA is from 0 to 30. From 26-30 is normal cognition, from 18-25 is mild cognitive impairment (MCI), from 10-17 is moderate cognitive impairment, and less than ten is Severe cognitive impairment.
4 weeks
Attention/concentration domain (AC)
Lasso di tempo: 4 weeks

RehaCom (Dr. G. Schuhfrted Ges.m.b.II., model No. A-2340 device) will be used in this study to assess and rehabilitate the cognitive function in stroke patients. It is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing and improving cognitive functions in stroke patients. Attention/concentration domain (AC) includes 24 levels of difficulty. Assessment will start at level one and will be advanced to more challenging levels.

normal range :10-12 level; indicative cognitive impairment: below 10 level

4 weeks
Figural memory domain
Lasso di tempo: 4 weeks

RehaCom (Dr. G. Schuhfrted Ges.m.b.II., model No. A-2340 device) will be used in this study to assess and rehabilitate the cognitive function in stroke patients. It is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing and improving cognitive functions in stroke patients. Figural memory domain includes 9 levels of difficulty. Assessment will start at level one and will be advanced to more challenging levels.

normal range :7-8 level; indicative cognitive impairment: below 7 level

4 weeks

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Investigatori

  • Direttore dello studio: Mohamed Soliman, Professor, Cairo University
  • Direttore dello studio: Shimaa Mohamed, Professor, Cairo University
  • Cattedra di studio: Moshera Darwish, Professor, Cairo University

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Stimato)

1 giugno 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

15 febbraio 2027

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

28 febbraio 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

31 maggio 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

31 maggio 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

4 giugno 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

4 giugno 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

31 maggio 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 maggio 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • P.T.REC/012/006121

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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