Researchers at the Texas Biomedical Device Center at The University of Texas at Dallas have achieved unprecedented recovery rates in spinal cord injury patients. A clinical study published in Nature on May 21, 2025, demonstrates that combining vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with individualized rehabilitation significantly improves arm and hand function in individuals with incomplete cervical spinal cord injuries.
The therapy involves implanting a small device in the neck that sends electrical pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve during rehabilitative exercises. This approach, called closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV), aims to rewire areas of the brain damaged by the injury. Previous research has shown VNS to be effective in stroke rehabilitation, but this study marks a significant advancement by demonstrating its potential to create functional gains where therapy alone yields no improvement.
Based on these promising results, the researchers are moving forward with a pivotal Phase 3 trial, a crucial step toward potential FDA approval of VNS for treating upper-limb impairment due to spinal cord injury. This groundbreaking therapy offers hope for improved independence and quality of life for individuals affected by spinal cord injuries.