Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Myelopathy

Conditions

• Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) — DEVICE
  Vagus nerve stimulation - clip is attached to ear
• Sham Stimulation — DEVICE
  Clip will be attached to the ear, but no stimulation will be given.

Study Details

The objective of this study is to generate preliminary data to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to improve post-operative outcomes of moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM)

Key Dates

Start date

Apr 14, 2026

Status verified

Jun 2026

Primary completion

Apr 30, 2028

Completion

May 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment

36 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Experimental: Pre-Post Group (P-P)
  This group will undergo taVNS for up to 6 weeks before and for 3 months following surgery
• Experimental: Post Group
  This group will undergo sham stimulation for up to 6 weeks before surgery. They will receive taVNS for 3 months after surgery
• Sham Comparator: Sham Group
  This group will undergo sham stimulation for up to 6 weeks before surgery and for 3 months after surgery. The patients will not know they are not receiving stimulation.

Primary Outcome Measure

mJOA - Modified Japanese Orthopedics Association [ Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year ]

Central Contacts

• Linda Koester, BS
  314-362-7368
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

Find similar trials in St Louis, MO

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• Stimulation-based Therapy to Improve Balance in DCM
  PHASE1/PHASE2 · Not Yet Recruiting · Medical College of Wisconsin · Milwaukee, Wisconsin