Electromagnetic network-targeted field therapy combined with physical therapy significantly reduced overall disability in stroke survivors compared to those receiving sham treatment, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026. The findings, while requiring confirmation through larger trials, suggest a potentially important advancement in 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 along with physical therapy over 8 to 12 weeks, beginning treatment on average 14 days after their stroke. The therapy targets specific brain connections related to motor movement and cognitive functions, using electromagnetic pulse patterns derived from studies of people without stroke to help reestablish normal network organization disrupted by stroke.
The analysis revealed that 33.8% of ENTF participants achieved freedom from disability, measured by a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-1, compared to 11.9% in the sham group. This represents a 22% higher rate of disability-free recovery. Participants receiving ENTF therapy also showed measurable improvements across the full range of disability outcomes, with reductions in both moderate to severe disability and moderate disability levels. No serious adverse effects were reported among ENTF recipients.
"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, of UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. "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 study's importance lies in addressing a critical gap in stroke care. While advances in acute stroke treatments have improved survival rates, many survivors continue to face significant disabilities that prevent return to normal daily activities. Stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability, according to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2026 Update available at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics-2026-update.
American Stroke Association volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, M.D., FAHA, who was not involved in the study, noted the preliminary nature of the findings while acknowledging their potential significance. "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 Broderick, a professor at the University of Cincinnati's Gardner Neuroscience Institute. "ENTF showed no safety issues, and there's a strong demand for new recovery methods post-stroke."
The main limitation of the research is its basis in two small pilot studies, with researchers emphasizing that a single, larger trial is needed to confirm these results. The abstract is available in the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2026 Online Program Planner at https://professional.heart.org/en/meetings/international-stroke-conference. If validated through further research, ENTF therapy could represent a significant advancement in post-stroke rehabilitation, particularly given its potential for at-home administration using portable kits, which could improve accessibility and convenience for stroke survivors during their recovery process.
