A groundbreaking trial is underway to test a device designed to assist individuals in regaining arm strength following a stroke. This initiative is spearheaded by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The trial invites participants who have experienced a stroke from six months to ten years prior to test a portable device that delivers electrical pulses to damaged brain areas through a connected earpiece, potentially improving hand and arm function significantly.
Each year, approximately 110,000 people in the UK suffer a stroke, with many facing challenges that limit their independence. Tasks such as brushing teeth, cooking, or pushing a supermarket trolley can become increasingly difficult, severely impacting quality of life. Over 36,500 people annually are left with permanent arm weakness after a stroke.
The Triceps trial, funded by a partnership between the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Stroke Association, and the Association of British Neurologists, began in November 2023 and will involve around 240 patients. Among the participants is Phil Herbert, who has noticed improvements in his ability to open and close kitchen cupboards. Herbert, who lost movement in his right arm after a stroke three years ago, hopes to regain the use of his fingers by the trial's end.
Professor Arshad Majid, leading the trial, highlighted the non-invasive nature of the treatment, allowing patients to undergo therapy at home with exercises and bi-weekly video check-ins. The trial, supported by the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, continues to recruit patients from 19 centres across England and Wales.
The device stimulates the vagus nerve through a wearable device connected to a wired earpiece, transmitting gentle currents into the nerve in the ear. This stimulation is believed to enhance the transmission of nerve signals from the brain to the arm, improving movement. Previous studies suggest that stimulating the nerve while the patient attempts to move the affected arm can restore electrical signals and reduce arm weakness.
