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Safety and Feasibility of Paired Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) With Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Technology
General health
Online since 1 April 2026, updated 9 days ago
Curated trial

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 12 participants with chronic traumatic cervical spinal cord injury to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with upper-limb rehabilitation. Transcutaneous auricular VNS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve delivered through surface electrodes placed on the ear. If included, participants will complete 18 goal-directed therapy sessions over 6 weeks with VNS delivered during training, followed by a 90-day home exercise program. Final assessment of safety and feasibility, including measurements of cardiovascular, respiratory and autonomic functions, and upper limb recovery, will be performed after 20 weeks.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
≥ 18 years
Injury level
C1 - C8
  • Severity (AIS)?
    • AIS-B
    AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    12 months - 10 years
  • Injury type

    • Traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C1-C8
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have intracranial metal implants or pacemakers

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will complete 18 goal-directed therapy sessions over 6 weeks with transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) delivered during training, followed by a 90-day home exercise program. - Transcutaneous auricular VNS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve delivered through surface electrodes placed on the ear. - Final assessment of safety and feasibility will be performed after 20 weeks.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    General health

    Additional benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Bladder health/function

    Bowel health

    Mental health and psychosocial factors

    Pain

    Standing/walking/mobility

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 15 Aug 2025
    • Organisation
    • The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
    View on clinicaltrials.gov
    for more details
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 15 Aug 2025
    • Organisation
    • The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
    View on clinicaltrials.gov
    for more details

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more

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