Rewiring Rehabilitation: Upper Extremity, Vagus Nerve and Electrical Stimulation in combination with Hippotherapy

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 animplanted device.