Plasticity Biomarkers,Interleukin-6 and Motor Performance in Response to Vagus Nerve Stimulation After Stroke

"Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) consists in the activation of the Vagus nerve using electrical current, Transcutaneous auricular VNS works through the placement of noninvasive electrodes on the neck or auricle for stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.~Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes will be used to stimulate the auricular branch of the Vagus nerve, The active electrode will be placed on the cymba concha of the left ear. This reduced the risk of taVNS side effect on the heart. The reference electrode will be placed outside the left ear attached to the tragus. TENS parameters used were: 30 minutes treatment time, a pulse width of 300 microseconds, pulse frequency 20 hertz and a duty cycle of 25%. The stimulation intensity was set at super-threshold levels, such as 200% of patient perceptual threshold."

Sham transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation will be performed by the same procedures of the study group but without electrical stimulation. The active electrodes will be attached to the left cymba conchae. The taVNS stimulator will be turned on and the stimulation intensity will be increased until the patient perceived the electrical stimulation and then the stimulator will be turned off.