Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms
Sponsor: University of Liege
Summary
Persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) affect a significant proportion of individuals following a concussion, leading to debilitating impacts on their quality of life and work capacity. Currently, effective treatments for PPCS are limited, despite their lasting and debilitating impact. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, holds promise as a therapeutic option by leveraging the bottom-up modulation of brain activity via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. This study aims to evaluate the neurophysiological and clinical effects of taVNS on brain activity and symptomatology in patients with PPCS through a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.
Official title: Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms: a Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
48
Start Date
2025-05-28
Completion Date
2027-06
Last Updated
2025-06-12
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Active taVNS
Patients will receive active taVNS for 15 consecutive days, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The stimulation will target the cymba conchae of the left ear and will consist of alternating 30-second on and 30-second off periods. The current intensity will range from 1 to 3 mA, adjusted to the patient's pain threshold, with a pulse width of 250 μsec and a frequency of 25Hz.
Sham taVNS
Patients will receive sham taVNS for 15 consecutive days, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The stimulation will target the cymba conchae of the left ear and will consist of alternating 30-second on and 30-second off periods. The current intensity will be fixed at 100 µA, with a pulse width of 250 μsec and a frequency of 25 Hz.
Locations (1)
University Hospital of Liège
Liège, Liège, Belgium