Closed-loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation Aids Recovery of Hand Function after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Humans

STUDY PURPOSE: Decades of research demonstrate that recovery from serious neurological injury will require synergistic therapeutic approaches. We hypothesized that combining intensive, progressive, task-focused training with real-time closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV) to enhance synaptic plasticity could increase strength, expand range of motion, and improve hand function in people with chronic, incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). DATA COLLECTED: After twelve weeks and 36 sessions of therapy composed of a miniaturized implant selectively activating the vagus nerve on successful movements, nineteen people (male and female) exhibited a significant beneficial effect on arm and hand strength and the ability to perform activities of daily living.

Methods: Stimulation of the vagus nerve that was paired with upper extremity rehabilitation. VNS stimulation consisted of 0.5 s trains of 0.8 mA 100 µs biphasic pulses delivered at 30 Hz. Stimulation trains were only delivered during rehabilitation. Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension (GRASSP) and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test were used to evaluate hand function before therapy, after 18 sessions, and after 36 sessions of therapy. DATA USAGE NOTES: