Plain-English translation of NCT06226493 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Stroke research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This trial is testing transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) — a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle electrical pulses applied to your ear to stimulate the vagus nerve. The goal is to see whether this treatment, combined with standard rehabilitation, can help improve motor recovery in people who have had a recent stroke. Early research suggests the treatment is safe and may be more effective when started soon after a stroke, when your brain is still actively healing.
Stroke recovery options are limited, and most current treatments work better in the early stages. While implanted vagus nerve stimulation has shown promise in helping stroke patients regain motor function, it requires surgery. This study explores whether a simpler, non-surgical approach using ear stimulation could offer similar benefits without the risks of invasive surgery.
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You will visit the research team to complete some brief tests and brain activity measurements (EEG) before starting treatment. Then you'll receive the ear stimulation treatment for 45 minutes per day, five days a week, for two weeks — during your regular rehabilitation sessions. The stimulation is delivered through a small clip placed on your ear. After the two-week treatment period, you'll complete the same tests again, and you'll have a follow-up phone call at six months to check on your progress.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 1, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States