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Non-invasive Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Postural Control and Autonomic Responses in Stroke

NCT07629687 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 22

Last updated 2026-07-20

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial is conducted to determine the effects of transcutaneous auricular Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on postural control in stroke patients (e.g., improvements in balance, mobility, and functional stability) and to evaluate the effects of taVNS on autonomic nervous system responses in stroke patients (e.g., changes in heart rate variability, blood pressure variability, skin conductance, and temperature).

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

Vagus Nerve Stimulation combined with Balance Training Group

Participants in the experimental group will receive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) administered according to standardized clinical protocols. No intervention is provided at baseline, aside from initial assessments. During Weeks 1 and 2, taVNS will be applied daily or as per a specified schedule. The stimulation parameters include: application at the auricular site (such as the tragus), with a frequency of 25 Hz, pulse width of 250 µs, and intensity adjusted to individual tolerance, not exceeding 6 mA. Each session will last for 30 minutes. The same taVNS protocol continues through Weeks 3 and 4. This group will not perform physical balance exercises during the taVNS phase, focusing solely on neuromodulation through vagus nerve stimulation.

OTHER

Balance Training Group

Participants in the control group will also undergo baseline assessments without intervention. During Weeks 1 and 2, they will participate in daily or scheduled 30-minute balance training sessions, consisting of 14 basic exercises such as sit-to-stand, tandem stance, and single-leg stance. These exercises are designed to improve static and dynamic balance, and are tailored to the individual's ability and safety level. In Weeks 3 and 4, the balance training progresses in difficulty. This includes increasing repetitions or duration, adding dual-task challenges (like cognitive tasks while balancing), and incorporating tools like foam pads or wobble boards to increase instability and challenge postural control. Each session remains 30 minutes in length and is supervised for safety and consistency

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Riphah International University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Hajra Arshad, MS-NMPT* · Riphah International Unversity

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-20
Primary Completion
2026-10-20
Completion
2026-11-20

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07629687 on ClinicalTrials.gov