Viewing Study NCT06623721



Ignite Creation Date: 2024-10-26 @ 3:41 PM
Last Modification Date: 2024-10-26 @ 3:41 PM
Study NCT ID: NCT06623721
Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Last Update Posted: None
First Post: 2024-09-20

Brief Title: Movement-activated Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Rehabilitation
Sponsor: None
Organization: None

Study Overview

Official Title: Feasibility and Tolerance of Movement-activated Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Motor Rehabilitation
Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Status Verified Date: 2024-10
Last Known Status: None
Delayed Posting: No
If Stopped, Why?: Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access: No
If Expanded Access, NCT#: N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status: N/A
Acronym: sVNS-rehab
Brief Summary: Rehabilitation engineering laboratory RELab at the ETH Zurich is recruiting participants with a motor function deficit for studying a novel non-invasive brain stimulation method that may be a promising approach for benefiting motor recovery after conditions like stroke traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury The study will be conducted at the cereneo Hertenstein clinic Participants with residual motor function deficit due to stroke or spinebrain injury will be undergoing typical neurorehabilitation procedures in addition to the use of the automatically controlled non-invasive Vagus nerve stimulation taVNS

This study will analyze the feasibility of this method before it can be used by doctors generally More specifically this study aims to test whether controlling taVNS with a wearable wrist-worn sensor during rehabilitation exercises for movement is both practical and safe This stimulation works by involves sending tiny electric pulses to the outside of the ear after the wrist sensor detects movement These pulses activate the auricular Vagus nerve and in turn the brain Over the course of multiple rehabilitation procedures taVNS may to help with the speed of motor recovery as shown with previous manually controlled studies The goal of this study is wants to see if the automatically controlled taVNSs method works well and doesnamp39t cause any harm while people are doing their therapy exercises If successful in the future it could offer a new way to improve the recovery process movement for people with motor difficulties
Detailed Description: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation taVNS has emerged as a safe and medically approved non-invasive method for stimulating the vagus nerve utilising a small electrode placed on the outer ear to transcutaneously activate an auricular branch of the vagus nerve Studies indicate the potential benefits of both invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for motor neurorehabilitation particularly when combined with rehabilitation exercises A recent pilot study has shown that pairing motor rehabilitation with taVNS in a movement-gated system resulted in improvement on Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper extremity scores and a greater effect size compared to an unpaired taVNS while administering fewer stimulation pulses This demonstrates that taVNS paired with movement therapy can reduce the intensity of stimulation while still producing beneficial results However current approaches for performing stimulation during movement require either manual control or complex and non-specific sensor setup There are no options for tracking and controlling stimulation based on movement kinematics in an objective unsupervised manner Therefore an in-house developed taVNS system will be used SmartVNS The system includes inertial measurement unit IMU sensors to track patients movement and then automatically initiates the taVNS stimulation during movements

The benefit for participants in the study involving transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation taVNS paired with rehabilitation exercises outweighs the potential risks The intervention taVNS is a medically approved procedure with minimal and extremely rare adverse effects particularly when used within approved parameters The study protocol ensures that taVNS will be administered at safe and tolerable intensity levels with immediate removal of electrodes if any discomfort occurs Additionally the intervention will not alter the typical rehabilitation program of the participants and motion-triggered taVNS will be while participants perform repetitive rehabilitation exercise movements with the affected limb The potential benefits of the study include contributing to the quality of future neurorehabilitation outcomes and informing decisions for protocols in future clinical studies to explore the efficacy of taVNS in enhancing neurorehabilitation and motor learning in adults with motor deficits Overall the study aims to prioritise participant safety while offering the potential for meaningful therapeutic benefits

Study Oversight

Has Oversight DMC: None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?: None
Is a FDA Regulated Device?: None
Is an Unapproved Device?: None
Is a PPSD?: None
Is a US Export?: None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: None