Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Stroke

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation using INPULSE 3 times a week for six consecutive weeks. The stimulation parameters will be a frequency of 30Hz with a pulse width of 300 us and a stimulation time of 1.5 seconds for each respiratory cycle. The electrical current will be gradually increased to a maximum of 5 mA (0.25-mA increments) to allow adaptation to the stimulation until a comfortable tolerance level is achieved. Patients will receive physical rehabilitation therapy during stimulation, which will include reaching and grasping exercises, gross movements, turning objects, simulating specific tasks, inserting objects, opening and closing containers.

Patients will receive physical rehabilitation therapy during placebo stimulation (No electrical stimulation), including reaching and grasping exercises, gross movements, turning objects, simulating specific tasks, inserting objects, opening and closing containers.