Vagus nerve stimulation and upper limb rehabilitation

Purpose of Review: This article will review the evidence for the use of vagus nerve stimulation to drive the growth of new neural pathways during upper limb rehabilitation and improve functional recovery after stroke. Recent Findings: Approximately 85 % of patients with stroke present with arm weakness and 60 % of stroke survivors with poorly functioning arms at 1 week do not recover meaningful function by 6 months. The mainstay of current treatment is intensive, task-specific and repetitive rehabilitation therapy or occasionally methods such as constraint-induced movement therapy and robotic therapy. The effects of these treatments are modest, and recent studies have suggested that augmentation of neuroplasticity is required to more fully recover motor function. Summary: Novel treatments are needed to improve recovery of upper limb function after stroke. We will review the evidence for the use of vagal nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation drive neuroplasticity specific to upper limb function