Triceps stroke trial to feature on BBC Tech Now Show
12 February 2026
Press contact | claudia.blake@nhs.net
Groundbreaking ‘at home’ technology aimed at improving the lives of stroke survivors is to feature on BBC Tech Now, the BBC’s flagship technology show.
Airing this Saturday (14 February), presenter Shiona McCallum visits Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital to find out more about the Triceps trial, which could offer a simple and cost-effective solution to one of the most common and debilitating consequences of a stroke.
In the trial – which is being led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Sheffield – patients living with persistent arm and hand weakness following a stroke use a specialised device and connected earpiece to stimulate the vagus nerve (a major nerve that connects the brain to the body) to strengthen hand and arm mobility. The device is currently being trialled in 19 NHS sites across the country.
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The programme also follows stroke survivor and Triceps trial participant Amanda James-Hammet, 44, as she uses the device as part of her everyday rehabilitation at home.
Amanda, from Doncaster, said the effects of her stroke, which she had had five years ago had affected her speech and movement, particularly in her hand and arm and it has been an uphill struggle to get back to life.
“It took two years to make some form of recovery, but even now, I struggle with speech and it is not as good as it needs to be, to help me go back into employment.
“I also need to have full function in both my hands, and I’m still having problems moving my right hand.
“Thankfully, I was recruited onto the Triceps trial, which has helped to improve the movement in my hand. It’s making it easier for me to get ready in the morning, do the washing, cooking, and even tie up my shoelaces.”
Amanda believes the trial has helped her physically, and hopes the outcome from being involved will help get her back to work, and participate more fully in her community.
Transforming stroke recovery
Dr Sheharyar Baig, Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Association of British Neurologists Clinical Doctoral Fellow (Stroke Association and Berkeley Foundation) is also featured in the BBC programme. He talks about the trial and its potential impact on the lives of thousands of people recovering from a stroke.
“Stroke is the leading cause of severe disability and can have a huge, long-lasting effect on someone’s life," Dr Baig, whose work is being supported by the Stroke Association, explained.
"If the trial is positive, it could transform the way we do stroke rehabilitation and support more people like Amanda to carry out important activities that we all take for granted such as going back to work, doing the housework, shopping – even hugging a loved one."
Once complete, the £2m trial, which is being funded through a National Institute for Health and Care Research and Medical Research Council partnership with the support of the Association of British Neurologists Fellowship (co-funded by the Stroke Association and Berkeley Foundation), could offer a simple and cost-effective solution to one of the most common and long-lasting consequences of a stroke.
Around a third of stroke survivors suffer with persistent hand and arm impairment following a stroke, limiting their ability to carry out everyday activities – affecting independence, quality of life, and recovery for many stroke survivors.
Wider impact of strokes
Beyond the devastating impact to stroke survivors and their families, stroke places immense pressure on the economy and the health and social care system, with one in four strokes occurring in working-age people.
Triceps builds on previous research which shows that the treatment, known as transcutaneous (through the skin) vagus nerve stimulation (TVNS), offers a potentially effective treatment for hand and arm weakness in stroke survivors.
In Triceps, however, the stimulation is automatically activated through the device, avoiding the need for surgical implantation of the electrical stimulator.
This means the trial findings could enable the NHS to deliver the TVNS treatment at cost and at scale to large numbers of stroke survivors. It also supports the shift from hospital to community set out in the recent Ten Year Health Plan.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association said:
“Every day in the UK, another 240 people wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke. Anyone – mums, dads, grandparents, young people and even children – can be left with both physical, sensory and psychological difficulties, such as being unable to move, see, speak, or swallow. Not being able to use your arm after a stroke is very tough – physically and emotionally.
“This trial has the potential to help more stroke survivors be independent, go back to work, to their hobbies, and take control of their lives. Every stroke survivor should be able to thrive after stroke, and we are pleased to be funding research that could support stroke recovery in this way.”
About the trial
Participants taking part in Triceps are given the specialised device to wear for one hour, five times a week during home stroke rehabilitation. They are also given support from community therapists. Some participants will also use the device during daily activities over 12 weeks.
The trial design and set up has been supported by the Sheffield Stroke and Aphasia Interest Group, who will continue to be involved throughout the running of the trial. It is also being supported by the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre and NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility.
To find out more about the trial contact triceps@sheffield.ac.uk or visit the website at www.triceps-trial.com.
"We were delighted to welcome the BBC Tech Now crew to our hospital so that even more people can find out about this potentially game-changing technology,” Dr Baig added.
The BBC Tech Now piece will be available at this link shortly after broadcast: BBC News - Tech Now, 14/02/2026
