Electromagnetic network-targeted field therapy combined with physical therapy significantly reduced overall disability in stroke survivors compared to those receiving sham stimulation with physical therapy, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026. The findings, while requiring larger confirmatory trials, suggest a potential new approach to post-stroke rehabilitation that could be administered at home using portable equipment.
Researchers analyzed combined data from two double-blind, randomized, controlled studies involving 124 stroke survivors who were moderately to severely disabled. Participants received either ENTF therapy or sham treatment alongside physical therapy over 8 to 12 weeks, beginning in the hospital and continuing at home. After three months, 33.8% of ENTF participants achieved freedom from disability compared to 11.9% in the sham group, representing a 22% improvement. The therapy also reduced moderate to severe disability across the full range of outcomes with no serious adverse effects reported.
"These neural networks show electrical disorganization after a stroke. Stimulating these networks with electromagnetic pulse patterns derived from studies in people who have not had a stroke can model and facilitate the reestablishment of normal network organization," said lead study author Jeffrey L. Saver, M.D., FAHA. "This therapy has shown beneficial effects upon organized brain electrical activity and, most importantly, was associated with improved functional recovery for patients after stroke."
The importance of this research lies in addressing a critical gap in stroke care. While advances in acute stroke treatments have improved survival rates, many survivors face persistent disabilities that prevent return to normal activities. Stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States according to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2026 Update, and is a leading cause of long-term disability. Motor impairment affecting arm and/or leg movement is the most common complication after stroke.
"This study examines two small trials of electromagnetic network-targeted field therapy for stroke patients. The results are preliminary, highlighting the need for larger trials with balanced participant groups to assess the therapy's effectiveness," said American Stroke Association volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, M.D., FAHA, who was not involved in the study. "ENTF showed no safety issues, and there's a strong demand for new recovery methods post-stroke."
The potential impact of this therapy extends beyond clinical settings. "It's clear that we need more effective rehabilitation therapies to fully improve patient outcomes. This promising potential therapy is unique in that it would be able to be conducted at home by the stroke survivor using a portable kit," Saver noted. This at-home capability could increase accessibility to rehabilitation services, particularly for patients in rural areas or those with limited mobility.
The study's main limitation is its analysis of data from two small pilot studies, necessitating a larger confirmatory trial. The research will be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans, Feb. 4-6, 2026. Abstracts presented at the association's scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. More information about stroke recovery is available at https://www.stroke.org and additional health topic fact sheets can be found through the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
