Evidence map · VNS · post-stroke arm rehabilitation
VNS for post-stroke arm rehabilitation: what the research shows
Paired vagus nerve stimulation for post-stroke arm rehabilitation. 322 papers from 1987 to 2026, including 23 meta-analyses, 12 systematic reviews and 43 randomised controlled trials. Each study below links to its source.
322Papers in the corpus
23Meta-analyses
43Randomised controlled trials
134Open-access papers
Study design
Jev labels40 papers have no confident study-design label yet. Labels are AI-classified by Jev: advisory, not clinician-reviewed.
Papers over time
by publication year* 2025–26 is still in progress, so its count is incomplete.
Most-cited trials and reviews
by citations- 1
Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for upper limb motor function after ischaemic stroke (VNS-REHAB): a randomised, blinded, pivotal, device trial.
- 2
Safety, Feasibility, and Efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Ischemic Stroke.
- 3
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Chronic Stroke.
- 4
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined with Robotic Rehabilitation Improves Upper Limb Function after Stroke.
- 5
Effect and Safety of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Recovery of Upper Limb Motor Function in Subacute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study.
- 6
Vagus nerve stimulation in ischemic stroke: old wine in a new bottle.
- 7
Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation combined with conventional rehabilitation training in acute stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial conducted for 1 year involving 60 patients.
- 8
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tAVNS) Delivered During Upper Limb Interactive Robotic Training Demonstrates Novel Antagonist Control for Reaching Movements Following Stroke.
Recent trials and reviews
last 3 years- 1
Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation Delivered With a Miniaturized System Produces Lasting Recovery in Individuals With Chronic Stroke.
- 2
Vagus nerve stimulation to improve post-stroke motor function and activity.
- 3
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus nerve stimulation paired with exercise training for upper-limb motor function and activities of daily living after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 4
The Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the Rehabilitation of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- 5
Exploring the Efficacy of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Post-Stroke Oral Phase Dysphagia via Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Decision support only. This page summarises published literature; it is not medical advice or a recommendation for any patient. Study designs and topic labels are AI-classified by Jev: advisory, not clinician-reviewed. Abstracts are not reproduced here: follow the links to read each source. Data snapshot 2026-09-25.