Trial Outcomes & Findings for taVNS in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease (NCT NCT04157621)

NCT ID: NCT04157621

Last Updated: 2023-01-25

Results Overview

The MDS-UPDRS is a rating scale used in research and clinic to rate the severity of Parkinson's Disease. A low score indicates mild disease and a high score more advanced disease. The possible range for MDS-UPDRS Part III is 0-132. Higher scores reflect greater motor disturbance. A decline in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. This outcome observed Part III of UPDRS motor examination. Information on cover page: The MDS-UPDRS has four parts: Part I (non-motor experiences of daily living), Part II (motor experiences of daily living), Part III (motor examination) and Part IV (motor complications). Part I has two components: IA concerns a number of behaviors that are assessed by the investigator with all pertinent information from patients and caregivers, and IB is completed by the patient with or without the aid of the caregiver, but independently of the investigator. These sections can, however, be reviewed by the rater to ensure that all questions are answered clea

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

33 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline (Visit 1) to Day 14 (Visit 10)

Results posted on

2023-01-25

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Active taVNS
Active taVNS: Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham Stimulation
Sham Stimulation: Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
Overall Study
STARTED
17
16
Overall Study
COMPLETED
17
16
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

taVNS in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Active taVNS
n=17 Participants
Active taVNS: Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham Stimulation
n=16 Participants
Sham Stimulation: Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
Total
n=33 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
11 Participants
n=7 Participants
20 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=7 Participants
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
18 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White/Caucasian
17 Participants
n=5 Participants
16 Participants
n=7 Participants
33 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
17 participants
n=5 Participants
16 participants
n=7 Participants
33 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline (Visit 1) to Day 14 (Visit 10)

The MDS-UPDRS is a rating scale used in research and clinic to rate the severity of Parkinson's Disease. A low score indicates mild disease and a high score more advanced disease. The possible range for MDS-UPDRS Part III is 0-132. Higher scores reflect greater motor disturbance. A decline in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. This outcome observed Part III of UPDRS motor examination. Information on cover page: The MDS-UPDRS has four parts: Part I (non-motor experiences of daily living), Part II (motor experiences of daily living), Part III (motor examination) and Part IV (motor complications). Part I has two components: IA concerns a number of behaviors that are assessed by the investigator with all pertinent information from patients and caregivers, and IB is completed by the patient with or without the aid of the caregiver, but independently of the investigator. These sections can, however, be reviewed by the rater to ensure that all questions are answered clea

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active taVNS
n=15 Participants
Active taVNS: Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham Stimulation
n=15 Participants
Sham Stimulation: Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
Change in Motor Function Score as Assessed by Modified Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III
0.72 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.85
0.01 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.02

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) letter fluency is an investigator administered test that assesses verbal fluency. Higher scores indicate more correct responses. A positive value of change means an improvement in fluency. A decrease in score represents decrease in fluency. The minimum score is 0 and there is no maximum score. The raw score is total from letters F, A, and S.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active taVNS
n=15 Participants
Active taVNS: Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham Stimulation
n=15 Participants
Sham Stimulation: Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
Change in Cognitive Function Score
-3.35 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.58
5.12 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.59

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)

DKEFS category fluency is an investigator administered test checking into ability to switch between categories presented. There is no upper limit on the D-KEFS measures. There is no lower limit on the D-KEPS measure. Higher scores reflect better verbal fluency. An increase in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. Decrease in value represents decrease in fluency. Raw score is total of Animals + Boys Names.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active taVNS
n=15 Participants
Active taVNS: Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham Stimulation
n=15 Participants
Sham Stimulation: Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
Change in Cognitive Function Score
1.25 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.60
-0.22 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.83

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)

Digit span forward is an investigator administered test looking at attention. The possible range for Digit Span Forward is 0-16, same for Digit Span Backward. Higher scores reflect better focused attention and working memory. An increase in score from pre-post would indicate improvement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Active taVNS
n=15 Participants
Active taVNS: Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham Stimulation
n=15 Participants
Sham Stimulation: Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
Change in Cognitive Function Score
0.19 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.30
0.70 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.44

Adverse Events

Active taVNS

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham Stimulation

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Vanessa Hinson

MUSC

Phone: 843-876-0829

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place