NCT04638673

Brief Summary

The purpose of the research is to test out a new form of treatment that examines stimulation of a nerve in the participant's ear. This is called transcutaneous (through the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) which means that the participant will receive stimulation through the ear. The taVNS device looks like an ear bud used with a smart phone or computer. The study team is investigating whether or not taVNS can treat neurologic symptoms of COVID-19 which are termed NEUROCOVID. Some symptoms the participant may experience are new onset anxiety, depression, vertigo, loss of smell, headaches, fatigue, irritability, etc. This study is entirely online and all assessments will be completed virtually.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
13

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_2

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2020

Shorter than P25 for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 18, 2020

Completed
1 day until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 19, 2020

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 20, 2020

Completed
7 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 30, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2021

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

July 26, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

July 26, 2022

Status Verified

July 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

7 months

First QC Date

November 18, 2020

Results QC Date

June 20, 2022

Last Update Submit

July 25, 2022

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Score of Patient Health Questionnaire-9

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a 9-question instrument given to patients in a primary care setting to screen for the presence and severity of depression. Scores range from 0-27. Higher scores mean worse symptoms. Remission -minimal to absence of symptoms; PHQ-9 score \< 5. Response -50% or greater decrease in PHQ-9 baseline severity; residual symptoms remain. Partial Response -26% to 49% decrease in PHQ-9 baseline severity. Non-response -less than 25% decrease in PHQ-9 baseline severity.

    Baseline and week 4 (End of Treatment)

Study Arms (2)

Active-Active Stimulation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will be randomized into the active stimulation group for weeks 1\&2 of stimulation and active stimulation during weeks 3\&4 of stimulation of study participation.

Device: Soterix taVNS model 0125-LTE Stimulator - Active-Active Group

Sham-Active Stimulation Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

This group will be randomized into the sham stimulation group for weeks 1\&2 of stimulation and active stimulation for weeks 3\&4 of stimulation of study participation.

Device: Soterix taVNS model 0125-LTE Stimulator - Sham-Active Group

Interventions

Participants will receive active taVNS stimulation for weeks 1-4 of the stimulation portion of this study.

Active-Active Stimulation Group

Participants will receive sham taVNS stimulation for weeks 1\&2 and active stimulation for weeks 3\&4 of the stimulation portion of this study.

Sham-Active Stimulation Group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • COVID positive
  • At home
  • Afebrile
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Vertigo
  • Anosmia
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Cognitive Processing

You may not qualify if:

  • Damage to left ear anatomy
  • Unstable hemodynamic effects
  • Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke after developing COVID
  • Unable to give consent, follow instructions
  • Unable to read or write or speak English
  • No access to home WiFi

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • Badran BW, Huffman SM, Dancy M, Austelle CW, Bikson M, Kautz SA, George MS. A pilot randomized controlled trial of supervised, at-home, self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to manage long COVID symptoms. Bioelectron Med. 2022 Aug 25;8(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s42234-022-00094-y.

  • Badran BW, Huffman SM, Dancy M, Austelle CW, Bikson M, Kautz SA, George MS. A pilot randomized controlled trial of supervised, at-home, self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to manage long COVID symptoms. Res Sq [Preprint]. 2022 Jun 21:rs.3.rs-1716096. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1716096/v1.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Coronavirus InfectionsCOVID-19

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Coronaviridae InfectionsNidovirales InfectionsRNA Virus InfectionsVirus DiseasesInfectionsPneumonia, ViralPneumoniaRespiratory Tract InfectionsLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract Diseases

Results Point of Contact

Title
Dr. Mark S. George
Organization
Medical University of South Carolina

Study Officials

  • Mark S George, MD

    Medical University of South Carolina

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Distinguished University Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 18, 2020

First Posted

November 20, 2020

Study Start

November 19, 2020

Primary Completion

June 30, 2021

Study Completion

June 30, 2021

Last Updated

July 26, 2022

Results First Posted

July 26, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations