Presented by: Michelle Winer, MS, PT, HPCS

In addition to functional electrical stimulation (FES) and neuromuscular stimulation (NMES), there is also vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Implanted vagus nerve stimulation is FDA-approved for the treatment of epilepsy and depression and for stroke rehabilitation. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation is FDA-approved for migraines. Both implanted and transcutaneous VNS are currently being investigated for many other indications, including: upper extremity impairment post stroke, symptoms of long COVID, cognitive disorders, and more. VNS can be combined with treatment sessions utilizing hippotherapy. This presentation will review the use of FES/NMES for UE function in an adult post-stroke and provide an overview of some of the theoretical basis behind vagus nerve stimulation in stroke rehabilitation, as well as the impact on a patient who is currently using tVNS and potentially receiving an implanted device.