Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-24 @ 5:29 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2025-12-29 @ 1:57 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT07090668
Status:
RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2025-10-14
First Post:
2025-07-21
Is NOT Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
Trans-auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation as an Innovative Approach to the Treatment of Pain in Pediatric Patients Suffering From Sickle Cell Disease
Sponsor:
Emory University
Organization:
Study Overview
Official Title:
Trans-auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation as an Innovative Approach to the Treatment of Pain in Pediatric Patients Suffering From Sickle Cell Disease
Status:
RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2025-10
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of transauricular vagal nerve stimulation on the treatment of pain in children with Sickle Cell Disease.
* The primary objective is to determine the feasibility of using a taVNS device to treat pain in pediatric participants with SCD by assessing the completion rate, stimulation tolerability, and acceptability of the intervention measures.
* The secondary objective is to assess the preliminary efficacy of using a taVNS device as a remedy for pain in pediatric SCD subjects by analyzing inflammatory serum biomarker levels, the Functional Status Scale (FSS), the Wong-Baker FACES questionnaire, tracking analgesic consumption, and other assessments.
* The primary objective is to determine the feasibility of using a taVNS device to treat pain in pediatric participants with SCD by assessing the completion rate, stimulation tolerability, and acceptability of the intervention measures.
* The secondary objective is to assess the preliminary efficacy of using a taVNS device as a remedy for pain in pediatric SCD subjects by analyzing inflammatory serum biomarker levels, the Functional Status Scale (FSS), the Wong-Baker FACES questionnaire, tracking analgesic consumption, and other assessments.
Detailed Description:
The vagus nerve, the body's longest cranial nerve, extends from the brainstem to deep regions of the gastrointestinal tract and plays a vital role in regulating parasympathetic activity across multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and nervous systems. Since the early 2000s, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been explored as a therapeutic tool across various diseases, particularly for pain management. VNS can reduce pain by three primary mechanisms: 1) suppressing systemic inflammation, 2) modulating central pain-processing pathways, and 3) alleviating depressive symptoms, which are known to intensify the experience of pain.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene, resulting in the production of abnormal hemoglobin (HbS). This leads to polymerization of hemoglobin under low-oxygen conditions, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped. These malformed cells damage blood vessels and adhere to endothelial surfaces, resulting in vaso-occlusion and impaired blood flow. The subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury provokes widespread inflammation and produces both acute pain episodes and chronic pain syndromes, often beginning in childhood and persisting throughout life.
The current standard for managing SCD-related pain often involves chronic opioid use, which can lead to dependence, tolerance, and serious side effects. Given the ongoing opioid crisis, there is an urgent need for non-pharmacologic alternatives that are safe, effective, and scalable.
This study proposes the use of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS)-a non-invasive method that stimulates vagal afferents through the ear-to treat pain in pediatric patients with SCD. taVNS is notable for its excellent safety profile, with minimal to no adverse effects reported in clinical studies. It is a multimodal pain management tool, acting simultaneously on immune, neurologic, and psychological pathways that contribute to pain in SCD.
The innovative aspect of this study lies in its application of a non-invasive, neuroimmune-modulating therapy in a pediatric population with complex pain needs. By potentially reducing the frequency and severity of pain episodes and thereby decreasing reliance on opioids, taVNS could transform the clinical approach to pain management in SCD. Ultimately, this research aims to provide a safe, sustainable, and accessible intervention that addresses both the biological and psychosocial dimensions of pain in children and adolescents with SCD.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene, resulting in the production of abnormal hemoglobin (HbS). This leads to polymerization of hemoglobin under low-oxygen conditions, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped. These malformed cells damage blood vessels and adhere to endothelial surfaces, resulting in vaso-occlusion and impaired blood flow. The subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury provokes widespread inflammation and produces both acute pain episodes and chronic pain syndromes, often beginning in childhood and persisting throughout life.
The current standard for managing SCD-related pain often involves chronic opioid use, which can lead to dependence, tolerance, and serious side effects. Given the ongoing opioid crisis, there is an urgent need for non-pharmacologic alternatives that are safe, effective, and scalable.
This study proposes the use of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS)-a non-invasive method that stimulates vagal afferents through the ear-to treat pain in pediatric patients with SCD. taVNS is notable for its excellent safety profile, with minimal to no adverse effects reported in clinical studies. It is a multimodal pain management tool, acting simultaneously on immune, neurologic, and psychological pathways that contribute to pain in SCD.
The innovative aspect of this study lies in its application of a non-invasive, neuroimmune-modulating therapy in a pediatric population with complex pain needs. By potentially reducing the frequency and severity of pain episodes and thereby decreasing reliance on opioids, taVNS could transform the clinical approach to pain management in SCD. Ultimately, this research aims to provide a safe, sustainable, and accessible intervention that addresses both the biological and psychosocial dimensions of pain in children and adolescents with SCD.
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
True
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
True
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
False
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: