Shocking the vagus nerve: new hope for stroke recovery?
NCT ID NCT05694663
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve in the neck, paired with physical therapy, to help people who had a stroke months or years ago. The goal is to see if this approach can safely improve arm and leg movement. About 40 adults with chronic ischemic stroke and arm weakness will take part.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
This study will enroll adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke and upper extremity weakness who plan to undergo vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) implantation.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all procedures in the VNS-Enhanced Stroke Recovery Program * Aged 18 or older * History of ischemic stroke * Upper extremity weakness * Planned to undergo VNS implantation Exclusion Criteria: * Unfavorable candidacy for device implant surgery (e.g., history of adverse reactions to anesthetics, poor surgical candidate in surgeon's opinion, prior injury to the vagus nerve etc.). * Medical or mental instability (diagnosis of personality disorder, psychosis, or substance abuse) that would prevent the subject from meeting protocol timeline.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10128, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can targeted balance training help stroke survivors regain stability?
- Brain stem cell transplant aims to restore movement after stroke
- Shock to the system: nerve zap may boost brain function after stroke
- Shock to the system: electrical zaps may boost stroke recovery
- Tablet games could help stroke patients regain hand control
- New balance training aims to prevent falls in stroke patients