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Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Cognition and Language Learning After Stroke

This study is investigating if Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) can improve memory and language learning in people who have had a stroke. VNS is a treatment that involves sending mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve. The study is for adults aged 22 or older who have already had a stroke, are monolingual in English, and have a Vivistim™ VNS device implanted. Participants will learn a new language, and researchers will measure how accurately they learn foreign language vocabulary and sentences at the beginning and after 6 weeks. The study aims to see if using the VNS device during language training can help with cognitive improvement.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 20 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive active VNS or a sham (inactive) stimulation during daily language-learning sessions.
What's involved
You would participate in daily language-learning sessions over approximately six weeks. There may also be MRI/fMRI scans at up to three different times.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your foreign language learning accuracy will be measured at the beginning of the study and again after 6 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07719387

Vagal Nerve Stimulation To Enhance Cognition and Learning

Enrolling by Invitation
NAAges 22+InterventionalTreatment
Stony Brook University
~20 participants
Updated 2026-07-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:VNS for Cognition

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Foreign-Language Vocabulary Learning Accuracy
Measured over Baseline and 6 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Stroke
Cognitive Assessment
Language Acquisition

Explore related trials

Stroke

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults aged 22 years or older
History of stroke
Implanted with a Vivistim™ VNS device
Monolingual in English
Home-dwelling and independent in activities of daily living
No prior language training in the selected language of learning
Tolerated 6 weeks of movement therapy at 0.8 mA without incident and has used the device for at-home stimulation without incident
Willing and able to participate in a six-week at-home intervention
Clinically stable, without major concurrent medical conditions that would interfere with study participation

Exclusion

Severe aphasia
Unable to read and/or write in English
Significant uncorrected hearing or visual impairment
Unable to commit to 6 weeks of therapy
Pregnancy
Prisoner or ward of the state
Any medical condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would make participation unsafe
Younger than 22 years of age

What this trial measures

  • Change in Foreign-Language Vocabulary Learning AccuracyBaseline and 6 weeks

    Vocabulary learning will be assessed using trained foreign-language vocabulary items. The outcome is the percentage of trained vocabulary items correctly recalled, recognized, or translated. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with higher scores indicating better vocabulary learning.

  • Change in Foreign-Language Sentence Learning AccuracyBaseline and 6 weeks

    Sentence learning will be assessed using trained short foreign-language sentences. The outcome is the percentage of trained sentence items correctly understood, completed, recalled, or translated. Scores range from 0% to 100%, with higher scores indicating better sentence learning.