From the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Health Professions, Boston (T.J.K.).
Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (T.J.K., C.N.P., D.K.K.).
Stroke. 2018 Nov;49(11):2789-2792. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.022279.
Background and Purpose- We assessed safety, feasibility, and potential effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation for improving arm function after chronic stroke. Methods- We performed a randomized, multisite, double-blinded, sham-controlled pilot study. All participants were implanted with a VNS device and received 6-week in-clinic rehabilitation followed by a home exercise program. Randomization was to active VNS (n=8) or control VNS (n=9) paired with rehabilitation. Outcomes were assessed at days 1, 30, and 90 post-completion of in-clinic therapy. Results- All participants completed the course of therapy. There were 3 serious adverse events related to surgery. Average FMA-UE scores increased 7.6 with active VNS and 5.3 points with control at day 1 post-in-clinic therapy (difference, 2.3 points; CI, -1.8 to 6.4; P=0.20). At day 90, mean scores increased 9.5 points from baseline with active VNS, and the control scores improved by 3.8 (difference, 5.7 points; CI, -1.4 to 11.5; P=0.055). The clinically meaningful response rate of FMA-UE at day 90 was 88% with active VNS and 33% with control VNS ( P<0.05). Conclusions- VNS paired with rehabilitation was acceptably safe and feasible in participants with upper limb motor deficit after chronic ischemic stroke. A pivotal study of this therapy is justified. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02243020.
背景与目的-我们评估了迷走神经刺激(VNS)与康复相结合治疗慢性卒中后上肢功能的安全性、可行性和潜在效果。方法-我们进行了一项随机、多中心、双盲、假对照的初步研究。所有参与者均植入 VNS 装置,并接受 6 周的门诊康复治疗,随后进行家庭锻炼计划。随机分组为活跃 VNS(n=8)或对照 VNS(n=9)与康复相结合。在门诊治疗结束后的第 1、30 和 90 天评估结果。结果-所有参与者均完成了治疗课程。有 3 例与手术相关的严重不良事件。活跃 VNS 的平均 FMA-UE 评分增加了 7.6 分,而对照 VNS 增加了 5.3 分,在门诊治疗后第 1 天(差异,2.3 分;CI,-1.8 至 6.4;P=0.20)。在第 90 天,活跃 VNS 的平均基线评分增加了 9.5 分,而对照 VNS 的评分增加了 3.8 分(差异,5.7 分;CI,-1.4 至 11.5;P=0.055)。在第 90 天,FMA-UE 的临床有意义反应率在活跃 VNS 组为 88%,在对照 VNS 组为 33%(P<0.05)。结论-迷走神经刺激与康复相结合治疗慢性缺血性卒中后上肢运动功能障碍患者是可以接受的安全和可行的。这项治疗的关键性研究是合理的。临床试验注册- URL:https://www.clinicaltrials.gov。独特标识符:NCT02243020。
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