tAN for First Responders

NCT ID: NCT07109349

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

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-10

Study Completion Date

2026-02-20

Brief Summary

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This study is designed as an open label, single arm, decentralized clinical study in which first responders will receive transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN), which targets the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN) via the mastoid and the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) anterior to the tragus. Participants will be enrolled in the study over the course of eight weeks (56 days).

Participants will respond to daily and weekly questionnaires regarding mood, stress, sleep, energy/fatigue, and burnout. Each week, participants will complete consolidated online questionnaires (intended to last no longer than 15 minutes) comprised of the Perceived Stress Short-Form (PSS-4), Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Mini-Z Burnout (5-item), PROMS Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD), GAD-7 (every 2 weeks), and Perceived Stress (PSS-10; monthly). The PSS-10 will replace the PSS-4 on Days 0, 28, and 56.

No tAN treatment will be delivered during the Baseline Period (days between Study Introduction and Day 0). Participants will complete the weekly set of questionnaires ("Weekly Questionnaires") on Day 0. Participants will be recommended to complete the daily set of questionnaires ("Daily Questionnaires ") on the other days of the Baseline Period.

On Days 1 - 28, participants will self-administer one session of one to two hours of tAN therapy each day. Participants will be recommended to complete the daily tAN session post-shift prior to sleep. Weekly Questionnaires will be completed by participants on Study Days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56. Participants will be recommended to complete Daily Questionnaires on all other study days, up to Day 28. Daily Questionnaires will not be required to be completed by participants. Daily tAN sessions and Daily Questionnaires will cease after Day 28. Participants will complete a Study Satisfaction Questionnaire with the Weekly Questionnaires on Day 56.

Following Day 56, participants will schedule a Study Exit Interview with the Research Coordinator.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Mental Fatigue Mental Stress

Keywords

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Mental resilience tAN Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation Vagus nerve stimulation Neurostimulation First responders taVNS Police officer

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Active tAN

First responders will self-administer once-daily active tAN sessions for 1-2 hours for 28 days. Participants will complete daily and weekly assessments to evaluate levels of stress, mood, energy/fatigue, sleep quality , and burnout. Daily assessments and tAN sessions will cease after Day 28. Participants will continue to complete weekly assessments until Day 56.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Sparrow Link

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sparrow Link will be using the components of the Sparrow Ascent device: (FDA-cleared K230796) a wearable, battery-operated, neurostimulation system designed to transcutaneously stimulate nerves on and/or around the auricle. Participants will self-administer daily active tAN sessions on Days 1 - 28.

Interventions

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Sparrow Link

Sparrow Link will be using the components of the Sparrow Ascent device: (FDA-cleared K230796) a wearable, battery-operated, neurostimulation system designed to transcutaneously stimulate nerves on and/or around the auricle. Participants will self-administer daily active tAN sessions on Days 1 - 28.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Participant is currently employed in a first responder position
2. Age ≥ 18 years
3. Reliable access to an internet-enabled device to complete required questionnaires
4. GAD-7 score ≥ 5

Exclusion Criteria

1. Participant has a history of epileptic seizures
2. Participant has a history of neurologic diseases or traumatic brain injury
3. Participant has presence of devices (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear prostheses or implants, neurostimulators)
4. Participant has abnormal left ear anatomy or ear infection present
5. Participant has auditory impairment of the left ear (ruptured eardrum, deafness, tinnitus, etc.)
6. Participant is currently enrolled in another interventional trial
7. Women of childbearing potential, not using adequate contraception as per the investigator's judgement
8. Females who are pregnant or lactating
9. Participant has any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Spark Biomedical, Inc.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Navid Khodaparast, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Spark Biomedical, Inc.

Locations

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Spark Biomedical - DECENTRALIZED STUDY

Dallas, Texas, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Kimi Harada

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 210-404-4162

Email: [email protected]

Caroline Benner

Role: CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Kimi Harada

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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SBM-MRES-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id