Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation added to robotic rehabilitation in patients with ischemic stroke: a randomized clinical trial

Basit Öğe Kaydı
dc.contributor.authorKizil, Omer Dicle
dc.contributor.authorUral, Ibrahim Halil
dc.contributor.authorHatik, Sefa Haktan
dc.contributor.authorOzden, Ali Veysel
dc.contributor.authorAydin, Emine Busra
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-25T14:20:17Z
dc.date.available2026-04-25T14:20:17Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.departmentSinop Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractBackground This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to robotic rehabilitation on functional outcomes and neuromuscular activity in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods This randomized controlled clinical trial employed a pre-post study design and was conducted in a hospital-based physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic. A total of 40 patients with ischemic stroke, aged 18-65 years, were randomly assigned to either a robotic rehabilitation group (RRG) or a combined vagus nerve stimulation and robotic rehabilitation group (VRRG). Spasticity, walking speed, motor function, quality of life, muscle activity, and pain were assessed at baseline and after six weeks of treatment. Results Primary outcome measures were walking speed, motor function assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included electrophysiological measurements (H-reflex and F-wave parameters) and quality of life. Within-group analyses showed significant improvements in all outcomes in the VRRG (p < 0.05), whereas all outcomes except pain improved significantly in the RRG (p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons demonstrated greater improvements in walking speed in the VRRG compared with the RRG (mean difference - 1.84 s, 95% CI - 3.7 to - 0.7; r = 0.43; p = 0.006) and greater pain reduction in the VRRG (mean difference - 1.55, 95% CI - 2.5 to - 0.1; r = 0.30; p = 0.048). In contrast, a greater reduction in the Hmax/Mmax amplitude ratio-an electrophysiological marker of spinal excitability-was observed in the RRG. Conclusion The findings suggest that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation combined with robotic rehabilitation may provide additional benefits in terms of walking speed and pain reduction in patients with ischemic stroke.
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12883-026-04743-6
dc.identifier.issn1471-2377
dc.identifier.issue1
dc.identifier.orcid0009-0004-8237-6761
dc.identifier.pmid41742071
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105034913588
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ2
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-026-04743-6
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11486/8484
dc.identifier.volume26
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001731726900006
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ3
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBmc
dc.relation.ispartofBmc Neurology
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260420
dc.subjectStroke
dc.subjectRobotic rehabilitation
dc.subjectVagus nerve stimulation
dc.titleEffects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation added to robotic rehabilitation in patients with ischemic stroke: a randomized clinical trial
dc.typeArticle

Dosyalar

Koleksiyon

WoS İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu