Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Enhance Motor Learning

Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System

Status: Terminated

Conditions: Motor Disorders; Neurological Injury; Paresis

Treatments: Other: Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT05316519

1619399

Details and patient eligibility

About

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) activates neural pathways leading to the release of chemicals that promote plasticity and learning. Previous work has shown that the auricular branch of the vagus nerve innervates landmarks on the external ear. Work from the PI's laboratory has shown that electrical current applied to the external ear activates neural pathways implicated in the therapeutic effects of VNS. The broad objective of this project is to better understand physiological mechanisms that are modulated by auricular stimulation and its potential to enhance motor learning.

Enrollment: 4 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

(For prospective subjects diagnosed with stroke)

• Confirmed diagnosis of a single stroke at least six months prior to participation

Exclusion criteria

• History of vestibular disorders or dizziness
• Diagnosis of neurological disorders affecting movement
• Ocular disease and/or impairment in more than one eye
• Pregnant or expecting to become pregnant
• Difficulty maintaining alertness and/or remaining still

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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4 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation paired with visuomotor task training

Treatment:

Other: Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous Stimulation (Sham)

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Transcutaneous stimulation paired with visuomotor task training

Treatment:

Other: Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation