Enhancing Neuroplasticity and Gait Recovery in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (TaVNS) Paired with Task-Specific Gait Training

This study is a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TaVNS) combined with task-specific gait training in individuals with chronic stroke. Thirty participants aged 45–80 years and at least six months post-stroke will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group will receive active TaVNS along with task-specific gait training, while the control group will receive sham TaVNS with identical gait training. The intervention will be conducted five days per week for six weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention (3 weeks), and post-intervention (6 weeks). Functional mobility will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, functional independence using the Functional Independence Measure (Motor component), spatiotemporal gait performance using cadence. The study aims to determine whether adding TaVNS to gait training results in greater improvements in gait-related functional outcomes compared to gait training alone in chronic stroke survivors.