Investigation of TVNS Administration on Postpartum Mental Health
NCT ID: NCT06682689
Last Updated: 2024-11-12
Study Results
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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RECRUITING
NA
120 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2024-11-30
2026-12-31
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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Throughout the study, all participants will answer app-based ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to monitor mood fluctuations after stimulation and compare outcomes. Participants' partners will be invited to take part in the study if they wish; they will complete questionnaires regarding their mental health and the perceived support they provide. During the initial screening, participants will receive detailed information about the study, and inclusion and exclusion criteria will be evaluated.
At the first meeting (T1), informed broad consent will be obtained, and the study will be explained in detail. Instructions for using the tVNS devices will be provided based on group assignments. Participants will complete questionnaires, undergo a short neuropsychological test, and provide hair samples for cortisol concentration analysis.
After giving birth, participants (or their partners, with permission) will notify the researchers, and each woman in the experimental tVNS groups will receive a package containing the stimulator and access to usage tutorials and instructions. All participants will also receive smartwatches with usage instructions.
The main study will include 120 women who have recently given birth, randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Group one (High-low tVNS) will first receive an active, high-intensity tVNS stimulation protocol for six weeks at a self-chosen level below the pain threshold and will be advised to use it for up to four hours a day (as per the device manual's full and maximal stimulation session). Precise instructions and protocols to assess the stimulation intensity will be given beforehand. After six weeks (T2), they will switch to the low-intensity tVNS protocol used by group two.
Group two (Low-high tVNS) will use the device at the lowest possible intensity of 0,1 milliampere. This intensity equals the intensity of stimulation during the "OFF" Phase, for more details see "Arms and interventions"". After six weeks, participants will switch protocol for the one provided at the begging for group one for the remaining six weeks.
The device is pre-programmed to stimulate with constant parameters (except for intensity), and to minimize placebo effects, participants will be informed that different protocols with varying sensations are being tested.
Group three (No stimulation) will not receive any tVNS stimulation. Their mood and symptoms will be assessed similarly to the other two groups, and physiological measures will be monitored via smartwatch and hair sampling.
At week six (T2; around the 6th-7th week postpartum), participants from all groups will visit the lab to complete questionnaires, provide hormone samples, and undergo neuropsychological assessments.
During the experimental phase, participants will report daily on their current mood. They will continue to complete repeated questionnaires assessing their mental health, quality of life, sleep quality, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. At two postpartum time points (T2 and T3; weeks 6 and 12 after parturition), participants will be asked to return for additional sessions where blood will be drawn for hormonal analysis, questionnaires will be repeated, and neuropsychological testing will be performed. At week 12, hair samples will again be collected for cortisol concentration analysis.
A voluntary online follow-up is planned after the study. At 6 and 9 months postpartum, participants will be invited to complete some of the standardised questionnaires, previously administered earlier in the study. These questionnaires will assess various aspects of their current state, including mental health, physical well-being, and parenting stress
The study utilizes the CE-certified tVNS® E device to non-invasively stimulate the vagus nerve, in compliance with European safety and performance standards (Class IIa, based on (EU) 2017/745 for medical devices, classified as a short-term, active therapeutic, non-invasive medical device under rule 9). This device stimulates the vagus nerve non-surgically by targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, which interfaces with the skin at the cymba conchae of the external ear. The tVNS® E is approved for use in healthy participants, as well as for the following conditions (without restrictions for healthy participants, provided tVNS exclusion criteria are followed): treatment of seizures in pharmaco-resistant epilepsy with focal and/or generalized seizures (to reduce seizure frequency); adjunctive treatment of depression; treatment of emotional outbursts in Prader-Willi syndrome (to reduce frequency); adjunctive treatment of chronic migraine (to reduce headache frequency); and prophylactic migraine therapy for patients with chronic migraines who refuse or do not tolerate prophylactic medication (tVNS® E Instruction for Use, Version 1.6, 2023-01-30).
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
CROSSOVER
PREVENTION
SINGLE
Study Groups
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High-low tVNS
Participants in this group will be instructed to use the tVNS device every day for the first six weeks according to the manufacturer's guidelines, at an intensity where they can feel a tingling sensation but below the pain threshold. After six weeks (T2) of intervention, they will be asked to switch to a different protocol for the next six weeks, using the device at the lowest possible intensity. Additional instructions will be provided, and they will be informed that this stimulation uses different parameters set by the research team.
transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Two groups will use a tVNS stimulator for 12 weeks. Group 1 will apply active stimulation for up to 4 hours daily at a comfortable level for 6 weeks, while Group 2 will use it at the lowest intensity (0.1 mA). After 6 weeks (T2), the groups will switch. Participants will be instructed to use the device for at least 1 hour a day, with a recommendation of 4 hours, following guidelines and recent studies. The CE-certified tVNS® E device non-invasively stimulates the vagus nerve via the ear. It is approved for treating a.o.depression. Device parameters (intensity, pulse length, frequency) mimic invasive VNS techniques, ensuring safe and effective signal transmission. Stimulation will be applied to the left ear, with intensity adjusted to a tingling sensation, avoiding discomfort. The study follows an approved protocol, with low-intensity stimulation as a control. The device delivers biphasic impulses at 25 Hz, with 28 seconds ON and 32 seconds OFF, and is safe for extended use.
Low-high tVNS
Participants in this group will receive the inverted intervention, with the first six weeks of stimulation at the lowest possible intensity (0.1 mA) with the same instructions regarding duration of stimulations, followed by six weeks of high-intensity stimulation as instructed by the manufacturer.
transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Two groups will use a tVNS stimulator for 12 weeks. Group 1 will apply active stimulation for up to 4 hours daily at a comfortable level for 6 weeks, while Group 2 will use it at the lowest intensity (0.1 mA). After 6 weeks (T2), the groups will switch. Participants will be instructed to use the device for at least 1 hour a day, with a recommendation of 4 hours, following guidelines and recent studies. The CE-certified tVNS® E device non-invasively stimulates the vagus nerve via the ear. It is approved for treating a.o.depression. Device parameters (intensity, pulse length, frequency) mimic invasive VNS techniques, ensuring safe and effective signal transmission. Stimulation will be applied to the left ear, with intensity adjusted to a tingling sensation, avoiding discomfort. The study follows an approved protocol, with low-intensity stimulation as a control. The device delivers biphasic impulses at 25 Hz, with 28 seconds ON and 32 seconds OFF, and is safe for extended use.
No tVNS
This group of participants will be included in all measurements (T1-T3) and check-ups, except for the tVNS stimulation.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Two groups will use a tVNS stimulator for 12 weeks. Group 1 will apply active stimulation for up to 4 hours daily at a comfortable level for 6 weeks, while Group 2 will use it at the lowest intensity (0.1 mA). After 6 weeks (T2), the groups will switch. Participants will be instructed to use the device for at least 1 hour a day, with a recommendation of 4 hours, following guidelines and recent studies. The CE-certified tVNS® E device non-invasively stimulates the vagus nerve via the ear. It is approved for treating a.o.depression. Device parameters (intensity, pulse length, frequency) mimic invasive VNS techniques, ensuring safe and effective signal transmission. Stimulation will be applied to the left ear, with intensity adjusted to a tingling sensation, avoiding discomfort. The study follows an approved protocol, with low-intensity stimulation as a control. The device delivers biphasic impulses at 25 Hz, with 28 seconds ON and 32 seconds OFF, and is safe for extended use.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Ability to provide written consent for themselves.
* Sufficient German language skills to communicate and understand study procedures.
Exclusion Criteria
* Neurological disorders.
* Current diagnosis or episode of a mood disorder.
* Diagnosed schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.
* Severe substance use disorders.
* Individual exclusion may also occur based on other health issues if the study clinician determines that participation in the study may pose a disadvantage for the participant or the child.
18 Years
FEMALE
Yes
Sponsors
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German Center for Mental Health (DZPG)
UNKNOWN
University Hospital Tuebingen
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Birgit Derntl, Prof., PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University Hospital Tübingen
Nils Kroemer, Prof., Dr. rer. nat.
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University Hospital Tübingen
Locations
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University Hospital Tuebingen; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Birgit Derntl, Prof., PhD, M.sc.
Role: backup
Julia Siodmiak, M.sc.
Role: backup
Other Identifiers
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TUE/858/2023BO2
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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