Highest Ranking Oral Abstracts

Stroke neuromodulation is rapidly transitioning from investigational research to clinical implementation. Building on prior discussions focused on translation from bench to bedside during the NANS 2026, this session will address the next critical phase: operationalizing and scaling neuromodulation programs within real-world health systems. Paired vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), the first FDA-approved neuromodulation therapy for chronic stroke recovery, has established a clinical model of activity-dependent neuroplasticity. As adoption expands, health systems face new challenges related to program standardization, referral optimization, multidisciplinary workflow integration, reimbursement pathways, and sustainable program growth beyond early academic centers. Although paired VNS currently represents the only FDA-approved neuromodulation therapy for stroke rehabilitation, additional approaches-including deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), and noninvasive brain stimulation modalities such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-remain under active investigation and may shape future clinical programs. This session will emphasize practical implementation strategies and program development. Faculty will share early and maturing adoption experiences, outline operational frameworks for building scalable neuromodulation programs, and discuss emerging technologies and indications within the evolving stroke recovery landscape. Through multidisciplinary perspectives and panel discussion, the session will highlight pathways from early implementation to standardized clinical infrastructure.