Research on Binaural Synchronous Vagus Nerve Regulation of Sensorimotor Disorders After Cerebral Infarction

Nanchang University Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cerebral Infarction

Treatments: Device: transcutaneous auriculai vagus nerve stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07081568

SFYLL-KY-PJ-2025-004

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of binaural synchronous vagus nerve regulation in the treatment of patients with sensory and motor dysfunction after cerebral infarction through a randomized controlled clinical study, and to provide high-quality evidence support for binaural synchronous vagus nerve regulation in the treatment of cerebral infarction.

Full description

The research subjects were first-onset cerebral infarction and were recruited at the Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Nanchang University (the Fourth Affiliated Hospital). Based on the estimated sample size, a total of 40 patients were included in this study. The randomization grouping protocol divided 40 patients into the experimental group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Experimental group: Received synchronous vagus nerve regulation in both ears. Control group: Received false stimulation. The randomization procedure was carried out by independent statisticians who were not involved in the implementation and statistics of the study. The trial secretary placed the generated random numbers and groups respectively into opaque envelopes. After the patients were confirmed to be included in the group, the project leader opened the envelopes numbered in sequence to complete the grouping. This study was A double-blind design, using a unified binaural vagus nerve electrical stimulation device (JY-VNS-200, Jiangxi Jingyi Medical Technology Company Limited.). To achieve researcher blindness, the device was preset in A/B mode, with one mode being true stimulation and the other mode being false stimulation. After the experiment, unblinding was performed by personnel who were not involved in the study. During the experiment, the patients did not know whether they were receiving actual treatment or a placebo. The patients were blind. Meanwhile, the evaluators and statistical analysts were unaware of the grouping of the patients.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with first-episode ischemic stroke within 7 to 14 days of onset;
• Be over 18 years old;
• The skin at the irritated area remains intact;
• The informed consent form has been signed.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe cognitive dysfunction (Mini-Mental State Examination≥19);
• Peripheral limb movement limiting factors (fractures);
• History of major neurological and mental disorders in the past;
• Uncontrollable limb and facial muscle twitching, and spontaneous profuse sweating;
• Intracranial shunt pumps, metal implants

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

40 participants in 2 patient groups

Sham Stimulation Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Sham Stimulation Group received sham stimulation using device B, which had identical appearance, interface parameters, and physical sensation but no therapeutic effect. Stimulation parameters were set as follows: sinusoidal waveform; pulse width of 200μs; frequency of 20Hz; current adjusted to 0mA by the investigator; single session duration of 30 minutes. After each session, the device was disinfected with 75% alcohol. Treatment was administered once daily, 5 days per week, for a total duration of 4 weeks.

transcutaneous auriculai vagus nerve stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

The patient was positioned in a supine position. Two stimulating electrodes were placed on the bilateral concha cymba and concha cavum. Stimulation parameters were set as follows: sinusoidal waveform; pulse width of 200μs; frequency of 20Hz; initial intensity of 2mA. Each treatment session lasted 30 minutes. Treatment was administered once daily, 5 days per week, for a total duration of 4 weeks. After each treatment session, the device was disinfected with 75% alcohol.

Treatment:

Device: transcutaneous auriculai vagus nerve stimulation