Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Children

NCT ID: NCT06168071

Last Updated: 2025-12-31

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

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

10 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-11-15

Study Completion Date

2026-07-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about brain waves during transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in healthy children.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* What is the safety, tolerability, and physiological response of taVNS in children?
* Does the electroencephalogram (EEG) change during taVNS?

Participants will

* undergo a brief titration session where taVNS will be titrated to below perceptual threshold
* receive one session of 30 minutes of taVNS
* undergo clinical EEG monitoring during taVNS
* Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring via pulse oximetry and blood pressure every 5 minutes
* Answer tolerability questions before, during and after 30 minute taVNS session

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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taVNS with EEG in healthy children

The investigators will enroll 10 children between 7-18 years of age who are admitted to the hospital for EEG monitoring for spell characterization to receive one session of 30 minutes of taVNS. The investigators will titrate taVNS to below perceptual threshold of stimulation and objectively assess tolerability. The following parameters will be used for taVNS: frequency 25 Hz, pulse width 250 µs, and varying intensities from 0.5 milliampere (mA) to 2 mA. Intensity will be titrated to be a level below perceptual threshold in a patient. The participant will have continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring via pulse oximetry and blood pressure every 5 minutes. EEG data will be compared before, during and after taVNS.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

taVNS

Intervention Type DEVICE

Recently, implantable VNS received FDA approval for augmenting motor recovery from ischemic stroke-induced hemiplegia when used during standard physical and occupational therapy sessions. VNS is FDA-approved for epilepsy therapy in children and is used for generalized refractory epilepsy. VNS may be achieved through an implantable stimulator on the left vagus nerve in the carotid sheath, or transcutaneously through the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (taVNS). All participants will be fitted with the device by attaching adhesive contacts to the left ear. Stimulation sessions will occur once for 30 minutes. The investigators will obtain baseline measure, tolerability questionnaires, vital signs, and EEG data.

Interventions

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taVNS

Recently, implantable VNS received FDA approval for augmenting motor recovery from ischemic stroke-induced hemiplegia when used during standard physical and occupational therapy sessions. VNS is FDA-approved for epilepsy therapy in children and is used for generalized refractory epilepsy. VNS may be achieved through an implantable stimulator on the left vagus nerve in the carotid sheath, or transcutaneously through the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (taVNS). All participants will be fitted with the device by attaching adhesive contacts to the left ear. Stimulation sessions will occur once for 30 minutes. The investigators will obtain baseline measure, tolerability questionnaires, vital signs, and EEG data.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Admitted for clinical EEG for spell characterization at investigator's institution

Exclusion Criteria

* known history of brain injury
* known history of bradycardia
* congenital heart disease
* pregnant
* pacemaker or wearable defibrillator
* undergoing active cancer treatment
Minimum Eligible Age

7 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Washington University School of Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Alyssa Smith, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Washington University School of Medicine

Locations

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Washington University in St. Louis

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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202307034

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id