Noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation and Cognitive Rehabilitation

This study is exploring whether a small, painless device worn on the ear — called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) — can help improve thinking and executive function in people recovering from a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) during inpatient rehabilitation. Participants attend two sessions a few days apart, receiving either active stimulation or a sham (inactive) version while completing cognitive tasks. Adults aged 18 to 65 who are in inpatient rehabilitation following a recent TBI, can use a keyboard independently, and are oriented and able to consent can join — those with pacemakers, significant communication impairments, severe agitation, or depression are not eligible. Each session lasts about the duration of the cognitive tasks, and there are no medications or invasive procedures involved. This summary was prepared with AI assistance to help patients understand the study in plain language.