Background

Ischemic stroke impacts roughly 700,000 patients per year in the United States, yet there are limited options to improve recovery for individuals with a completed stroke and associated neurological deficit. We describe a preliminary clinical trial of a novel non-invasive device that provides peripheral somatosensory stimulation using intermittent jets of air to the affected hand in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods

The safety and short-term impact of the use of a non-invasive device providing peripheral somatosensory stimulation were investigated in four patients after mild to moderate stroke. Perfusion MR imaging was performed with the device off and then on in each patient. Serial evaluations of the NIH stroke scale score, Glasgow Outcome Score, and Barthel Index were performed in each case.

Results

All patients tolerated treatment with the device. No complications related to the use of the device were encountered. A non-blinded neuroradiologist interpreted the MR imaging as demonstrating improved perfusion in three of four cases. All patients demonstrated neurological improvement over the course of treatment.

Conclusion

It has been suggested that peripheral somatosensory stimulation may improve recovery from stroke. We investigated the use of a novel noninvasive device that delivers intermittent jets of air to the affected forearm and hand. In this small, preliminary series, treatment was well-tolerated in all cases.

A larger trial properly empowered to demonstrate clinical benefit may be warranted.