Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS) in Patients With Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

NCT ID: NCT04978571

Last Updated: 2025-02-11

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

125 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-02-01

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to test the effect of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (a Neurostim device) on children with pain and Post Concussion symptoms.

An additional purpose of this study is to demonstrate that PENFS improves functioning in children with post Covid-19 symptoms.

Detailed Description

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The purpose of this study is to test the effect of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (a Neurostim device) on children with pain and Post Concussion symptoms. Patient will be offered a Neurostim device. This device is placed on the outer ear through tiny needles. Since this is a randomized trial, patients may receive an active (experiment) or nonactive (control) Neurostim device. However, the nonactive control Neurostim device group will be given the option to receive an active device after the initial study procedures. The experiment group may be in this study up to 8 weeks and the control group may be in this study up to 12 weeks. The control group will have 4 additional weeks due to the transition to an active device following the first 8 weeks. The device is worn weekly for 4 weeks. Each device is worn for 5 consecutive days for the full 24 hours. The participant will be able to easily take the device off on the 6th day. Study procedures include: Neurological testing- a balance test and computerized neurological standard testing, Cardiology testing- electrocardiogram for heart rate variability (heart electrical pulse test), a pupilometer (eye) test, and parent/child questionnaires. You may benefit from this research, but there is no guarantee that being in this study will help you.

Patients in the COVID arm will be offered 6 placements of Neurostim devices. This device is placed on the outer ear through tiny needles. Patients in this arm will not be randomized, all patients will receive active devices. This group will be in the study for up to 10 weeks. The device is worn weekly for 6 weeks. Each device is worn for 5 consecutive days for the full 24 hours. The patient will be able to remove the device on the 6th day. Study procedures include: Neurological testing called Cognigram to measure cognitive functioning and parent/child questionnaires. After 6 weeks of device placements, parent and child will complete a 1-week and 1-questionnaires. You may benefit from this research, but there is no guarantee that being in this study will help you.

Conditions

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Post-Concussion Syndrome COVID Long-Haul COVID-19

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Concussion: prospective, randomized-controlled treatment trial. COVID: prospective, open label, non-randomized-controlled treatment trial.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
Concussion: After study completion, a designated member of the study will disclose study group. This designated member will not have direct contact with study participants during their participation.

COVID: open label

Study Groups

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Active Neurostim Device

Patients in this group will receive the active devices for the initial 4 study weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

percutaneous electrical nerve-field stimulation, PENFS

Intervention Type DEVICE

A novel, FDA approved for commercial use, cleared device that delivers field stimulation with alternating frequencies to the external ear

Sham Neurostim Device

Patients in this group will receive the sham devices for the initial 4 study weeks. However, they will be offered the 4 active devices after.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

percutaneous electrical nerve-field stimulation, PENFS (sham device)

Intervention Type DEVICE

A novel, FDA approved for commercial use, cleared device that delivers field stimulation with alternating frequencies to the external ear. The sham device will not deliver field stimulation to the ear.

COVID Active Neurostim Device

Patients in this group will receive the active devices for the 6 study weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

percutaneous electrical nerve-field stimulation, PENFS (COVID active device)

Intervention Type DEVICE

A novel, FDA approved for commercial use, cleared device that delivers field stimulation with alternating frequencies to the external ear

Interventions

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percutaneous electrical nerve-field stimulation, PENFS

A novel, FDA approved for commercial use, cleared device that delivers field stimulation with alternating frequencies to the external ear

Intervention Type DEVICE

percutaneous electrical nerve-field stimulation, PENFS (sham device)

A novel, FDA approved for commercial use, cleared device that delivers field stimulation with alternating frequencies to the external ear. The sham device will not deliver field stimulation to the ear.

Intervention Type DEVICE

percutaneous electrical nerve-field stimulation, PENFS (COVID active device)

A novel, FDA approved for commercial use, cleared device that delivers field stimulation with alternating frequencies to the external ear

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Clinical diagnosis of Post-Concussion Syndrome
* Post-Concussion Symptoms for at least 3 months along with lack of other explanation for their symptoms
* English and Spanish-speaking families


* Child is in between the ages 11-18
* Child is present at CHOC Neurology clinic post covid-19 symptoms of more than 3 months duration along with lack of other explanation for their symptoms
* English-speaking and Spanish-speaking families

Exclusion Criteria

* Seizure disorders
* Significant developmental delay
* Infection or severe dermatological condition of ear
* Bleeding disorders
* Implanted electrical device

COVID:


* Children with significant developmental delay, infection or severe dermatological condition of ear, bleeding disorders, or having any implanted electrical device will be excluded.
* Are not able to attend Friday appointments for the Neurostim placements.
Minimum Eligible Age

11 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Innovative Health Solutions

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Children's Hospital of Orange County

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ashish Chogle

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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CHOC Children's

Orange, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Pari Mokhtari

Role: CONTACT

714-509-8765

Jamie Janchoi

Role: CONTACT

714-509-8765

Facility Contacts

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Pari Mokhtari

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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190667

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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