FDA-approved ‘vagus nerve stimulator’ implant and high-intensity rehabilitation treatment are key… 2-3 times improvement in hand and foot function
Entered 2024.02.02 09:10 Entered 2024.02.02 09:10 Modified 2024.02.02 00:50 Views 343
A stroke patient (right) is receiving rehabilitation treatment. An implantable vagus nerve stimulator (implant) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the effect of improving hand and arm function by 2 to 3 times. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]Research has shown that patients who suffered from a stroke and suffered paralysis of their arms and hands can regain control of their hands and arms by stimulating the vagus nerve with an implant and undergoing intensive rehabilitation training.
A research team at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, USA, confirmed that, as a result of a clinical trial on 74 stroke patients aged 22 to 80, they could regain control of their arms and hands with nerve stimulation and rehabilitation training. . These participants had suffered a stroke between 9 months and 10 years before the clinical trial and had problems with movement of their hands and feet.
The research team had participants complete a high-intensity hospital rehabilitation program for six weeks while using an ‘implanted vagus nerve stimulator (implant).’ However, only half of the patients were implanted with ‘real’ devices, and the remaining patients were implanted with ‘fake’ devices. The real device continuously stimulated the vagus nerve, while the fake device only emitted a few ineffective pulses.
The vagus nerve stimulation device was developed to treat arm dysfunction in stroke patients. It has been approved for marketing in 2021 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This device stimulates the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain through the neck to the chest and stomach.
After the six-week program was completed, all participants continued using the implants and continued rehabilitation exercises at home for three months. In particular, everyone who had the real device implanted continued rehabilitation exercises at home for a year. People who had a fake device implanted during the six-week program were later implanted with the real device and were able to do rehabilitation exercises at home for a year.
According to the results of the study, people who were treated with an implanted vagus nerve stimulator showed two to three times better hand and arm function compared to people who only received physical rehabilitation treatment. Professor Teresa Kimberly (rehabilitation science, physical therapy), lead author of the study, said, “This is the first time that a treatment combining stroke rehabilitation treatment and brain stimulation has been made available without undergoing clinical trials.” He said, “With this research, we have laid the foundation for recovering disabilities in parts other than the arm. “This could be a watershed in rehabilitation science,” he added.
When a stroke attacks the brain, important nerve pathways connecting the brain and limbs are damaged, causing loss of limb function. Professor Kimberly said, “Many patients have limited independence and quality of life because their arm and hand function does not recover well after a stroke.” “Combining rehabilitation therapy with vagus nerve stimulation can help strengthen new neural pathways,” he explained.
People who have suffered a stroke should not give up hope for recovery of body function. Some patients do not receive additional treatment because they believe their current disability is permanent. But this is not right. Vagus nerve stimulation opens new paths and hope for stroke patients.
The research team plans to present these results at the International Stroke Congress (February 7-9, Phoenix). The results of this study are considered preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed academic journal.
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2024-02-03 12:08:05
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