Feasibility Study on the Application of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation in Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term neurological disability and death worldwide. Traditional neurorehabilitation methods result in full recovery for less than 15% of stroke patients, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuromodulation technique with high focality and deep tissue penetration. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety and efficacy of tFUS for motor rehabilitation in ischemic stroke patients. We conducted a single-group prospective pilot study involving two stroke patients who received tFUS targeting the motor cortex contralateral to the lesion site three times a week. Patients were evaluated using multiple clinical measures of motor function. Both patients showed improvements in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper extremity score, kinesthetic sensation, stereognosis score from the Nottingham Sensory Assessment, and the Modified Barthel Index score. Follow-up evaluations immediately and three weeks after stimulation indicated sustained motor function improvements. The results suggest that tFUS can effectively enhance motor recovery in stroke patients without adverse events. This study provides robust evidence supporting the potential of tFUS in stroke rehabilitation, opening new avenues for clinical application and research.