Parkinson DiseasetaVNSNCT04157621
taVNS in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease
A study testing Active taVNS in people with Parkinson Disease, run by Medical University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to find out whether a non-invasive form of nerve stimulation called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is safe and effective in people with Parkinson's Disease. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 79 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Parkinson Disease
- What is being tested?
- Active taVNS
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 33 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 20 Mar 2018to 15 Jun 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 79 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age: 40-79 y
- Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Stage: Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-3
- Patient requires a minimum of 3 doses of levodopa daily
- Willingness to be videotaped
Who cannot join
- Dementia or Montreal Cognitive Assessment score <24
- Parkinson's Disease psychosis
- Ear trauma
- Facial pain
- Traumatic Brain Injury or clinical history of stroke
- Metal implants above the shoulders
Show all 13Show fewer
- History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, bradycardia
- Active respiratory disorder
- Alcohol or substance use disorders
- History of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or other brain surgery
- Epilepsy
- Pregnancy
- B-Blockers, dopamine blocking agent, antiarrhythmic medication, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, midodrine, florinef, droxidopa, or anticholinergic drugs
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425
About this study
Official title: Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease
The purpose of this study is to find out whether a non-invasive form of nerve stimulation called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is safe and effective in people with Parkinson's Disease.
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Being tested
- Active taVNS, Sham Stimulation
- Medical subject headings
- Parkinson Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active taVNSDevice
Patients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus
Sham StimulationDevice
Sham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active taVNS | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Device: Active taVNS |
| Sham Stimulation | Sham comparator | Not described Receives: Device: Sham Stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Motor Function Score as Assessed by Modified Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III
The MDS-UPDRS is a rating scale used in research and clinic to rate the severity of Parkinson's Disease. A low score indicates mild disease and a high score more advanced disease. The possible range for MDS-UPDRS Part III is 0-132. Higher scores reflect greater motor disturbance. A decline in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. This outcome observed Part III of UPDRS motor examination.
Information on cover page:
The MDS-UPDRS has four parts: Part I (non-motor experiences of daily living), Part II (motor experiences of daily living), Part III (motor examination) and Part IV (motor complications). Part I has two components: IA concerns a number of behaviors that are assessed by the investigator with all pertinent information from patients and caregivers, and IB is completed by the patient with or without the aid of the caregiver, but independently of the investigator. These sections can, however, be reviewed by the rater to ensure that all questions are answered clea
Measured: Baseline (Visit 1) to Day 14 (Visit 10)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Cognitive Function Score
Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) letter fluency is an investigator administered test that assesses verbal fluency. Higher scores indicate more correct responses. A positive value of change means an improvement in fluency. A decrease in score represents decrease in fluency. The minimum score is 0 and there is no maximum score. The raw score is total from letters F, A, and S.
Measured: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)
Change in Cognitive Function Score
DKEFS category fluency is an investigator administered test checking into ability to switch between categories presented. There is no upper limit on the D-KEFS measures. There is no lower limit on the D-KEPS measure. Higher scores reflect better verbal fluency. An increase in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. Decrease in value represents decrease in fluency. Raw score is total of Animals + Boys Names.
Measured: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)
Change in Cognitive Function Score
Digit span forward is an investigator administered test looking at attention. The possible range for Digit Span Forward is 0-16, same for Digit Span Backward. Higher scores reflect better focused attention and working memory. An increase in score from pre-post would indicate improvement.
Measured: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Nov 2019
- Study start20 Mar 2018
- Primary completion15 Jun 2021
- Study completion15 Jun 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Parkinson DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Medical University of South CarolinaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 33 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Vanessa Hinson, Medical University of South Carolina
- Investigators
- Vanessa Hinson, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Medical University of South Carolina
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04157621
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 00073767
- Acronym
- taVNS
- Status last verified
- Jan 2023
- First submitted
- 9 Sep 2019
- Last updated
- 25 Jan 2023
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jan 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04157621
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- taVNS / 00073767
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 33 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of South CarolinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Mar 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jun 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Nov 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 25 Jan 2023
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether a non-invasive form of nerve stimulation called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is safe and effective in people with Parkinson's Disease.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active taVNS | Active comparator | Device: Active taVNS |
| Sham Stimulation | Sham comparator | Device: Sham Stimulation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 79 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age: 40-79 y
- Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Stage: Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-3
- Patient requires a minimum of 3 doses of levodopa daily
- Willingness to be videotaped
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Dementia or Montreal Cognitive Assessment score <24
- Parkinson's Disease psychosis
- Ear trauma
- Facial pain
- Traumatic Brain Injury or clinical history of stroke
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Active taVNSPatients will be masked to transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus | Device | Active taVNS |
| Sham StimulationSham stimulation involves identical perceptual threshold finding and stimulation parameters as active stimulation, with the exception of stimulation target. Sham stimulation will be delivered to the left earlobe, a target believed to have little to no vagal nerve innervation. | Device | Sham Stimulation |
Primary outcome
Change in Motor Function Score as Assessed by Modified Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III
Time frame: Baseline (Visit 1) to Day 14 (Visit 10)
The MDS-UPDRS is a rating scale used in research and clinic to rate the severity of Parkinson's Disease. A low score indicates mild disease and a high score more advanced disease. The possible range for MDS-UPDRS Part III is 0-132. Higher scores reflect greater motor disturbance. A decline in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. This outcome observed Part III of UPDRS motor examination. Information on cover page: The MDS-UPDRS has four parts: Part I (non-motor experiences of daily living), Part II (motor experiences of daily living), Part III (motor examination) and Part IV (motor complications). Part I has two components: IA concerns a number of behaviors that are assessed by the investigator with all pertinent information from patients and caregivers, and IB is completed by the patient with or without the aid of the caregiver, but independently of the investigator. These sections can, however, be reviewed by the rater to ensure that all questions are answered clea
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Cognitive Function Score
Time frame: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)
Change in Cognitive Function Score
Time frame: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)
Change in Cognitive Function Score
Time frame: Screening to Day 13 (Visit 9)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jan 2023.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Vanessa Hinson, MD, PhD principal investigator
Medical University of South Carolina
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Active taVNS in people with Parkinson Disease, run by Medical University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Jan 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 25 Jan 2023). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Motor Function Score as Assessed by Modified Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III (time frame: Baseline (Visit 1) to Day 14 (Visit 10)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Jan 2023; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.