Devices & Techniques

Gentle vibration patterns that shift autonomic tone from stress to recovery. Multiple modes for sleep, calm, focus, and recovery. Studied at the University of Pittsburgh. The most versatile option — can be worn discreetly, requires no cognitive effort.

Vagus nerve stimulation through gentle electrical pulses to the neck. Four-minute sessions. More targeted than Apollo — direct vagal activation.

Infrasonic resonance placed on the chest. Ten to twenty-minute sessions lying down. The most passive option — good for patients with severe fatigue who cannot manage active techniques.

Real-time HRV biofeedback. Sensor clips to your ear, shows your HRV responding as you breathe. Teaches your nervous system to self-regulate. Five to ten minutes daily.

Worn on the finger for continuous sleep, HRV, temperature, and readiness tracking. Excels at overnight HRV measurement because it reads from the arteries in your finger rather than the wrist. Provides a daily readiness score that integrates sleep quality, recovery, and activity balance. Minimal form factor — easy to wear 24/7 without disruption.

Best for: Sleep-focused recovery tracking, readiness scoring, passive overnight HRV

Wrist-worn strap with continuous HRV, respiratory rate, and strain tracking. Calculates a daily recovery percentage and recommends sleep need based on accumulated strain. Strong journaling features let you track how specific behaviors (supplements, breathwork, alcohol, screen time) affect your recovery over time.

Best for: Detailed strain-recovery analysis, behavior journaling, athletes and active patients

Tracks HRV, heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep stages, and activity. Built-in ECG and fall detection add safety features. The most versatile option if you already use Apple products — integrates with the Health app for a consolidated view of all health data.

Best for: All-in-one health tracking, patients already in the Apple ecosystem, fall detection safety

Body Battery and HRV Status features track energy reserves and autonomic recovery. Long battery life (days to weeks depending on model) means less charging disruption. Stress tracking throughout the day shows when your nervous system is working hardest.

Best for: Long battery life, stress tracking, outdoor activity when cleared for exercise

Near-infrared light (1070nm) stimulates mitochondrial function and cellular repair in the brain. Purpose-built photobiomodulation helmet for at-home use, twenty-minute sessions. DoD-funded trial underway. Particularly promising for post-stroke recovery where mitochondrial dysfunction drives secondary injury.

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Magnetic pulses stimulate specific brain regions. FDA-cleared for depression. Twenty to thirty sessions in a clinical setting. Often covered by insurance. Growing evidence for post-stroke motor recovery and aphasia treatment. Consider if emotional recovery has plateaued at three or more months.

Another transcranial photobiomodulation option (810nm). Intranasal and transcranial light delivery. Multiple models available.

Brain self-regulation training using real-time EEG feedback. Clinical protocols guided by brain wave mapping are significantly more effective than consumer devices. Typically twenty to forty sessions. Can be helpful for attention, emotional regulation, and sleep after stroke.

An FDA-cleared implanted vagus nerve stimulator specifically designed for stroke rehabilitation. Pairs brief vagus nerve stimulation pulses with arm rehabilitation exercises, enhancing neuroplasticity during therapy. Surgically implanted. Clinical trials show significantly improved upper extremity function compared to rehabilitation alone. Different from the consumer VNS devices above — this is a medical device requiring a surgical procedure and clinical supervision. Discuss candidacy with your neurologist or physiatrist.