Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Application on Respiratory Functions in Stroke Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Being a chronic stroke patient with an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke diagnosis made 1-3 years ago * Having been diagnosed with stroke for the first time * Ability to understand and follow simple verbal instructions * Being between the ages of 40 and 80 * No conditions affecting perioral muscles, such as facial paralysis or swallowing disorders * No visual, auditory, or communication problems * No cardiopulmonary disorders * No additional neurological, cardiovascular, orthopedic, or similar conditions causing balance problems * Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24 * No surgical operations or Botox applications in the last 6 months * Scoring 2 or below on the Modified Ashworth Scale Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of infection, ulcer, or scar on the auricle * Metallic implants in the skull, hypersensitivity, injury, or inflammation inside the ear * Chronic pulmonary and/or cardiac diseases * Resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute * Devices such as pacemakers or cochlear implants * Uncontrolled hypertension * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma unrelated to stroke * History of surgical operation or Botox application within the last 6 months * Presence of aphasia, apraxia, or neglect syndrome * History of 2 or more strokes (SVO) * Comorbid conditions affecting respiratory functions (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, contractures, deformities after fractures, active upper or lower respiratory infe…