Synergistic Gut-brain Axis Modulation Via Vagal Stimulation and Support Therapy in Functional Dyspepsia

NCT ID: NCT06360900

Last Updated: 2025-11-06

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

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-29

Study Completion Date

2029-03-31

Brief Summary

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The study aims at evaluating physiological and patient-reported outcomes for a dual intervention approach including a stimulation device and support therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Functional Dyspepsia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Sensory device + Skills Building

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Sensory device

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sensory vagal nerve stimulation

Skills Building

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Skills Building behavioral therapy

Sensory device + Health Education

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sensory device

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sensory vagal nerve stimulation

Health Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Education of FD condition

Subsensory device + Skills Building

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Skills Building

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Skills Building behavioral therapy

Subsensory device

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subsensory vagal nerve stimulation

Subsensory device + Health Education

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Health Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Education of FD condition

Subsensory device

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subsensory vagal nerve stimulation

Interventions

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Sensory device

Sensory vagal nerve stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Skills Building

Skills Building behavioral therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Health Education

Education of FD condition

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Subsensory device

Subsensory vagal nerve stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Age 18-65 years old (inclusive)

* Ability to give written consent and participate in behavioral intervention in English
* Willingness to attend weekly treatment sessions over live video, daily self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) sessions, and engage in homework during treatment
* Avoidance of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine for 24 hours prior to study session
* Diagnosis according to the Rome IV criteria for both epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome subtypes
* Stable medical treatment for functional dyspepsia (FD) during 1 month before the study and during the study period

Exclusion Criteria

* Previous receipt of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gastrointestinal symptoms
* Enteral or parenteral feeding
* Previous gastrointestinal surgery, electrolyte disturbances, kidney dysfunction, renal insufficiency, or iron overload disorders
* Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \< 60
* Medications that affect gastrointestinal motility in addition to medications or products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will be stopped at least 7 days prior to the start of the study and for the duration of the study. However, anti-depressants (SSRI's, TCA's) may be allowed in order to reduce the risk of worsening neuropsychiatric disease, though it will be up to the study team and the Principal Investigator whether subjects on anti-depressants will be able to participate in the study
* Intellectual disability by history
* Diabetes, mitochondrial disease, severe autonomic dysfunction, and small fiber polyneuropathy
* No active clinical acupuncture therapy
* Illicit drugs or opioid usage
* History of arrhythmias
* Current pregnancy/breastfeeding
* Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (implanted ferromagnetic objects, claustrophobia)
* Weight \> 450 lbs. (limit of the MRI table)
* Allergy to pineapple (used in the test meal during MRI)
* Any other condition interfering with study requirements, according to the Investigator
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Roberta Sclocco

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Karen Lin

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 617-724-6642

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Karen Lin

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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R01DK136243

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

2024P000849

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id