Post Operative DeliriumtVNSNCT07610655
Effects of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Post-Surgical Return to Consciousness, Delirium, and Depression
A study testing Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation in people with Post Operative Delirium and Cognitive Impairment, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will examine whether noninvasive, transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) can help restore consciousness in patients in the operating room and the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Post Operative Delirium, Cognitive Impairment, Vagus Nerve Stimulation
- What is being tested?
- Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 23 Apr 2026to 31 May 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged > 18 years of age
- Patients undergoing lumbar surgery for degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis involving two or more levels
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 18 - accept mild
- Ability to use a keyboard
- Able to understand and communicate in English
- Be able to consent independently
- Women of child-bearing age must be comfortable confirming a negative pregnancy prior to participating in the study.
- Must not be involved in any other research intervention study testing neurobehavioral functioning
Who cannot join
- Age < 18 years of age
- History of vagotomy (cutting the vagus nerve)
- History of bradycardia, heart block, prolonged QT syndrome, brugada syndrome, heart failure with ejection fraction less than 35% and/or New York Heart Association symptoms
- MoCA < 18
- History of seizure disorder or intracranial hemorrhage
- Patients with carotid stenosis
Show all 13Show fewer
- Patients with aneurysms
- Other neurological diagnoses or a diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis) or a reported childhood learning disability
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding
- Active addiction history
- ECG adhesive allergy
- Severe aphasia, preventing subject from understanding the protocol and giving written consent
- Patients will be excluded postoperatively if there is neck swelling at the proposed site of left tcVNS.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Jordan Wood, BS, 312-695-0915, jordan.wood1@northwestern.edu
Bin Zhang, MS, 312-695-7771, bin.zhang1@northwestern.edu
About this study
This study will examine whether noninvasive, transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) can help restore consciousness in patients in the operating room and the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The study will also investigate if tcVNS can expedite discharge from the PACU and examine whether tcVNS administerd in the PACU helps reduce delirium and depression after surgery. The study will also evaluate whether tcVNS speeds cognitive recovery from emergence of anesthesia and surgery.
- Being tested
- Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation, Sham (No Treatment)
- Keywords
- Anesthesia Care, Post Anesthesia Care, Post Surgical Care, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Delirium, Cognitive Imparment, Depression, Hospital Length of Stay
- Medical subject headings
- Emergence Delirium, Cognitive Dysfunction, Depression, Delirium
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulationDevice
The tcVNS device utilized in this study is not an implanted device, but rather is solely operated outside of the body by affixing it around the patient's ear. The device delivers stimulation of the vagus nerve at designated intensity, interval, and frequency.
Sham (No Treatment)Device
The stimulator is flipped upside down so that the participant does not receive stimulation of the vagal nerve.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| tcVNS Stimulation (Intervention) | Active comparator | Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) Receives: Device: Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation |
| Sham tcVNS stimulation (Control) | Sham comparator | Sham transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (Sham tcVNS) Receives: Device: Sham (No Treatment) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Aim 1: Primary Endpoint 1: Determine if administering auricular tcVNS enhances the speed of recovery of anesthesia.
Time in minutes to a Patient State Index (PSI) (Sedline Sedation Monitor) score of 85. The PSI is a quantitative score derived from 4 channel EEG monitoring of the frontal and prefrontal cortex for assessing level of consciousnes during sedation and general anesthesia. The score ranges from 0 (EEG supression) -100 (fully awake). A PSI range of 25-50 indicates optimal hypnotic state for general anesthesia
Measured: 24 Hours
Aim1:Primary Endpoint 2 : Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS Score)
The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) is a 10-point validated scale used to measure patient sedation levels in post-anesthesia care unit, ranging from +4 (combative) to -5 (unarousable). A score of 0 is "alert and calm".Measured on arrival to PACU then at 10,15,30,45,60 minutes after admission to PACU.
Measured: 1 Hour
Aim 2: Primary Endpoint 1: Post Anesthesia Care Unit Discharge (PACU)
Admission time to the PACU to discharge from PACU in minutes elapsed.
Measured: 3 Hours
Aim 2: Primary Endpoint 2: Discharge from Hospital
Time from Post Anesthesia Care Unit discharge to discharge from the hospital in days/minutes
Measured: From PACU discharge (average of two hours post-surgical end time) to study completion (average of two days)
Aim 3: Primary Endpoint 1: Post Anesthesia Care Unit delirium
Comparison between active and sham tcVNS on delirium scores in the PACU at 30, 45 and 60 minutes after admission to the PACU. The 3D Confusion Assessment Method (3D CAM) will be administered at 30, 45 and 60 minutes after admission to PACU. The 3D CAM diagnostic tool scores delirium based on four core features, where Feature 1 (Acute Change) AND Feature 2 (Inattention) MUST be present, plus either Feature 3 (Disorganized Thinking) or Feature 4 (Altered Consciousness). It offers a severity score (3D-CAM-S) ranging from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms (0/20 low 20/20 high
Measured: From PACU arrival to one hour post-PACU arrival
Aim 3: Primary Endpoint 1a: Post Anesthesia Care Delirium
Delirium scores 30 days after discharge from the hospital. The 3D Confusion Assessment Method (3D CAM) will be administered 30 days after discharge from the hospital. The 3D CAM diagnostic tool scores delirium based on four core features, where Feature 1 (Acute Change) AND Feature 2 (Inattention) MUST be present, plus either Feature 3 (Disorganized Thinking) or Feature 4 (Altered Consciousness). It offers a severity score (3D-CAM-S) ranging from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms (0/20 low 20/20 high
Measured: 30 Days after discharge
Aim3:Primary Endpoint 1b: PHQ-9
The Patient Health Questionnaire Nine (PHQ-9) is a 9-question survey used to measure patient depression potential, ranging 1-27 (1 low possibility of depression to 27 highest potential for depression. Tested at baseline, post operative day 1 and 30 days post discharge from hospital.
Measured: 30 days
Secondary outcomes (7)
Aim 3: Secondary Endpoint 1:EEG Monitoring Data
Continuous EEG monitoring data to be evaluated for patterns associated with delirium (polymorphiic delta waves, generalized slowing quantified as delta range vs alpha range power
Measured: From pre-surgical EEG placement (i.e. approximately 30 minutes before surgery) through study completion (an average of 2 days)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) evaluations
The MoCA includes measures of memory recll, visuospatial processing, executive functions, attention, language, abstract reasoning and orientation to time and place. Administered baseline and post operative day 2. 0-30 point scale, 26 and above is normal, 18-25 mild cognitive dysfunction, 10-17 is moderate dysfunction and 0-10 is severe dysfunction.
Measured: 48 hours
SF-36 Survey
The 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) is a self-reported patient outcome measure that assesses physical and mental health across eight domains, including functioning, pain, and vitality. Score ranges from 0 low to 100 high. The higher the score the better the overall health. Administered at baseline and 30 days after discharge.
Measured: 30 days
Neuro Qol Cognition Function Short Form
This is a brief self-report tool used to measure perceived difficulties in everyday cognitive tasks. It is a portion of of the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL). he short form uses T-scores, which standardize results against a reference population (typically the U.S. general population).There are 8 questions. A T-score of 50 represents the average for the reference population. A high score indicates better perceived cognitive function. Completed at baseline and 30 days.
Measured: 30 Days
Neuro- QOL
Neuro-QoL(Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders) is a measurement system that evaluates and monitors the physical, mental, and social effects experienced by adults who may have neurological conditions. Tested at baseline and 30 days.
Measured: 30 Days
DRS-R-98
The Delirium Rating Scale (DRS-R-98) is a tool for assessing symptom severity and diagnosing delirium in clinical settings. This sixteen-item scale in a thirteen-item severity section and three diagnostic items, tracking changes over a twenty-four-hour period. The 16-item, clinician-rated tool used to diagnose and measure the severity of delirium. It consists of 13 severity items (scored 0-3) and 3 diagnostic items (scored 0-2 or 0-3), with a maximum total score of 46. Higher scores indicate more severe delirium, with scores of15 or greater than or greater than 17.5 often indicating delirium. Assessed at Day 1 and day 2 post operative.
Measured: 48 hours
DigitSpan Test
Digit Span test measures auditory short-term memory and working memory capacity by asking participants to repeat sequences of digits in forward, reversed, or ordered sequences. It is used to measure cognitive processing, attention, and executive function, usually contains 5-9 digits. scoring typically awards one point for each correctly repeated sequence. Performed post operative day 1and 2.
Measured: 48 Hours
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 May 2026
- Study start23 Apr 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion31 May 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (14)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Post Operative DeliriumStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Northwestern UniversityThe 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
- Model description
- Single blind randomized controlled pilot trial.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Northwestern University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Charles Hogue, Northwestern University
- Investigators
- Charles Hogue, MD, Principal investigator, Northwestern University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07610655
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STU00223307
- Acronym
- tVNS
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 13 May 2026
- Last updated
- 28 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Assenza G, Tombini M, Lanzone J, Ricci L, Di Lazzaro V, Casciato S, Morano A, Giallonardo AT, Di Bonaventura C, Beghi E, Ferlazzo E, Gasparini S, Giuliano L, Pisani F, Benna P, Bisulli F, De Falco FA, Franceschetti S, La Neve A, Meletti S, Mostacci B, Sartucci F, Striano P, Villani F, Aguglia U, Avanzini G, Belcastro V, Bianchi A, Cianci V, Labate A, Magaudda A, Michelucci R, Verri A, Zaccara G, Pizza V, Tinuper P, Di Gennaro G; Epilepsy Study Group of the Italian Neurological Society. Antidepressant effect of vagal nerve stimulation in epilepsy patients: a systematic review. Neurol Sci. 2020 Nov;41(11):3075-3084. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04479-2. Epub 2020 Jun 10.
PubMed 32524324Ben-Menachem E, Revesz D, Simon BJ, Silberstein S. Surgically implanted and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: a review of efficacy, safety and tolerability. Eur J Neurol. 2015 Sep;22(9):1260-8. doi: 10.1111/ene.12629. Epub 2015 Jan 23.
PubMed 25614179Han S, Kim M, Kim H, Shin H, Youn I. Ketamine Inhibits Ultrasound Stimulation-Induced Neuromodulation by Blocking Cortical Neuron Activity. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2018 Mar;44(3):635-646. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Dec 21.
PubMed 29276137Redgrave J, Day D, Leung H, Laud PJ, Ali A, Lindert R, Majid A. Safety and tolerability of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve stimulation in humans; a systematic review. Brain Stimul. 2018 Nov-Dec;11(6):1225-1238. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.08.010. Epub 2018 Aug 23.
PubMed 30217648Hachem LD, Wong SM, Ibrahim GM. The vagus afferent network: emerging role in translational connectomics. Neurosurg Focus. 2018 Sep;45(3):E2. doi: 10.3171/2018.6.FOCUS18216.
PubMed 30173606Rufener KS, Geyer U, Janitzky K, Heinze HJ, Zaehle T. Modulating auditory selective attention by non-invasive brain stimulation: Differential effects of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation and transcranial random noise stimulation. Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Sep;48(6):2301-2309. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14128. Epub 2018 Sep 9.
PubMed 30144194Ruffoli R, Giorgi FS, Pizzanelli C, Murri L, Paparelli A, Fornai F. The chemical neuroanatomy of vagus nerve stimulation. J Chem Neuroanat. 2011 Dec;42(4):288-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2010.12.002. Epub 2010 Dec 16.
PubMed 21167932George MS, Aston-Jones G. Noninvasive techniques for probing neurocircuitry and treating illness: vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 Jan;35(1):301-16. doi: 10.1038/npp.2009.87.
PubMed 19693003Weintraub S, Dikmen SS, Heaton RK, Tulsky DS, Zelazo PD, Bauer PJ, Carlozzi NE, Slotkin J, Blitz D, Wallner-Allen K, Fox NA, Beaumont JL, Mungas D, Nowinski CJ, Richler J, Deocampo JA, Anderson JE, Manly JJ, Borosh B, Havlik R, Conway K, Edwards E, Freund L, King JW, Moy C, Witt E, Gershon RC. Cognition assessment using the NIH Toolbox. Neurology. 2013 Mar 12;80(11 Suppl 3):S54-64. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182872ded.
PubMed 23479546Gershon RC, Lai JS, Bode R, Choi S, Moy C, Bleck T, Miller D, Peterman A, Cella D. Neuro-QOL: quality of life item banks for adults with neurological disorders: item development and calibrations based upon clinical and general population testing. Qual Life Res. 2012 Apr;21(3):475-86. doi: 10.1007/s11136-011-9958-8. Epub 2011 Aug 27.
PubMed 21874314Ware JE Jr, Sherbourne CD. The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care. 1992 Jun;30(6):473-83.
PubMed 1593914Inouye SK. Delirium in older persons. N Engl J Med. 2006 Mar 16;354(11):1157-65. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra052321. No abstract available.
PubMed 16540616Simon SE, Bergmann MA, Jones RN, Murphy KM, Orav EJ, Marcantonio ER. Reliability of a structured assessment for nonclinicians to detect delirium among new admissions to postacute care. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2006 Sep;7(7):412-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2006.02.006. Epub 2006 May 30.
PubMed 16979083Gusmao-Flores D, Salluh JI, Chalhub RA, Quarantini LC. The confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) and intensive care delirium screening checklist (ICDSC) for the diagnosis of delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies. Crit Care. 2012 Jul 3;16(4):R115. doi: 10.1186/cc11407.
PubMed 22759376
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Post-Surgical Return to Consciousness, Delirium, and Depression
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07610655
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- tVNS / STU00223307
- Keywords
- Anesthesia Care, Post Anesthesia Care, Post Surgical Care, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Delirium, Cognitive Imparment, Depression, Hospital Length of Stay
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Northwestern UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will examine whether noninvasive, transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) can help restore consciousness in patients in the operating room and the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The study will also investigate if tcVNS can expedite discharge from the PACU and examine whether tcVNS administerd in the PACU helps reduce delirium and depression after surgery. The study will also evaluate whether tcVNS speeds cognitive recovery from emergence of anesthesia and surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Single blind randomized controlled pilot trial.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| tcVNS Stimulation (Intervention) | Active comparator | Device: Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulationTranscutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) |
| Sham tcVNS stimulation (Control) | Sham comparator | Device: Sham (No Treatment)Sham transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (Sham tcVNS) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Aged > 18 years of age
- Patients undergoing lumbar surgery for degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis involving two or more levels
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥ 18 - accept mild
- Ability to use a keyboard
- Able to understand and communicate in English
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Age < 18 years of age
- History of vagotomy (cutting the vagus nerve)
- History of bradycardia, heart block, prolonged QT syndrome, brugada syndrome, heart failure with ejection fraction less than 35% and/or New York Heart Association symptoms
- MoCA < 18
- History of seizure disorder or intracranial hemorrhage
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulationThe tcVNS device utilized in this study is not an implanted device, but rather is solely operated outside of the body by affixing it around the patient's ear. The device delivers stimulation of the vagus nerve at designated intensity, interval, and frequency. | Device | tcVNS Stimulation (Intervention) |
| Sham (No Treatment)The stimulator is flipped upside down so that the participant does not receive stimulation of the vagal nerve. | Device | Sham tcVNS stimulation (Control) |
Primary outcome
Aim 1: Primary Endpoint 1: Determine if administering auricular tcVNS enhances the speed of recovery of anesthesia.
Time frame: 24 Hours
Time in minutes to a Patient State Index (PSI) (Sedline Sedation Monitor) score of 85. The PSI is a quantitative score derived from 4 channel EEG monitoring of the frontal and prefrontal cortex for assessing level of consciousnes during sedation and general anesthesia. The score ranges from 0 (EEG supression) -100 (fully awake). A PSI range of 25-50 indicates optimal hypnotic state for general anesthesia
Aim1:Primary Endpoint 2 : Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS Score)
Time frame: 1 Hour
The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) is a 10-point validated scale used to measure patient sedation levels in post-anesthesia care unit, ranging from +4 (combative) to -5 (unarousable). A score of 0 is "alert and calm".Measured on arrival to PACU then at 10,15,30,45,60 minutes after admission to PACU.
Aim 2: Primary Endpoint 1: Post Anesthesia Care Unit Discharge (PACU)
Time frame: 3 Hours
Admission time to the PACU to discharge from PACU in minutes elapsed.
Aim 2: Primary Endpoint 2: Discharge from Hospital
Time frame: From PACU discharge (average of two hours post-surgical end time) to study completion (average of two days)
Time from Post Anesthesia Care Unit discharge to discharge from the hospital in days/minutes
Aim 3: Primary Endpoint 1: Post Anesthesia Care Unit delirium
Time frame: From PACU arrival to one hour post-PACU arrival
Comparison between active and sham tcVNS on delirium scores in the PACU at 30, 45 and 60 minutes after admission to the PACU. The 3D Confusion Assessment Method (3D CAM) will be administered at 30, 45 and 60 minutes after admission to PACU. The 3D CAM diagnostic tool scores delirium based on four core features, where Feature 1 (Acute Change) AND Feature 2 (Inattention) MUST be present, plus either Feature 3 (Disorganized Thinking) or Feature 4 (Altered Consciousness). It offers a severity score (3D-CAM-S) ranging from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms (0/20 low 20/20 high
Aim 3: Primary Endpoint 1a: Post Anesthesia Care Delirium
Time frame: 30 Days after discharge
Delirium scores 30 days after discharge from the hospital. The 3D Confusion Assessment Method (3D CAM) will be administered 30 days after discharge from the hospital. The 3D CAM diagnostic tool scores delirium based on four core features, where Feature 1 (Acute Change) AND Feature 2 (Inattention) MUST be present, plus either Feature 3 (Disorganized Thinking) or Feature 4 (Altered Consciousness). It offers a severity score (3D-CAM-S) ranging from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms (0/20 low 20/20 high
Aim3:Primary Endpoint 1b: PHQ-9
Time frame: 30 days
The Patient Health Questionnaire Nine (PHQ-9) is a 9-question survey used to measure patient depression potential, ranging 1-27 (1 low possibility of depression to 27 highest potential for depression. Tested at baseline, post operative day 1 and 30 days post discharge from hospital.
7 secondary outcomes
Aim 3: Secondary Endpoint 1:EEG Monitoring Data
Time frame: From pre-surgical EEG placement (i.e. approximately 30 minutes before surgery) through study completion (an average of 2 days)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) evaluations
Time frame: 48 hours
SF-36 Survey
Time frame: 30 days
Neuro Qol Cognition Function Short Form
Time frame: 30 Days
Neuro- QOL
Time frame: 30 Days
DRS-R-98
Time frame: 48 hours
DigitSpan Test
Time frame: 48 Hours
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 32524324Assenza G, Tombini M, Lanzone J, Ricci L, Di Lazzaro V, Casciato S, Morano A, Giallonardo AT, Di Bonaventura C, Beghi E, Ferlazzo E, Gasparini S, Giuliano L, Pisani F, Benna P, Bisulli F, De Falco FA, Franceschetti S, La Neve A, Meletti S, Mostacci B, Sartucci F, Striano P, Villani F, Aguglia U, Avanzini G, Belcastro V, Bianchi A, Cianci V, Labate A, Magaudda A, Michelucci R, Verri A, Zaccara G, Pizza V, Tinuper P, Di Gennaro G; Epilepsy Study Group of the Italian Neurological Society. Antidepressant effect of vagal nerve stimulation in epilepsy patients: a systematic review. Neurol Sci. 2020 Nov;41(11):3075-3084. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04479-2. Epub 2020 Jun 10.
- Background: PubMed 25614179Ben-Menachem E, Revesz D, Simon BJ, Silberstein S. Surgically implanted and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: a review of efficacy, safety and tolerability. Eur J Neurol. 2015 Sep;22(9):1260-8. doi: 10.1111/ene.12629. Epub 2015 Jan 23.
- Background: PubMed 29276137Han S, Kim M, Kim H, Shin H, Youn I. Ketamine Inhibits Ultrasound Stimulation-Induced Neuromodulation by Blocking Cortical Neuron Activity. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2018 Mar;44(3):635-646. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Dec 21.
- Background: PubMed 30217648Redgrave J, Day D, Leung H, Laud PJ, Ali A, Lindert R, Majid A. Safety and tolerability of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve stimulation in humans; a systematic review. Brain Stimul. 2018 Nov-Dec;11(6):1225-1238. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.08.010. Epub 2018 Aug 23.
- Background: PubMed 30173606Hachem LD, Wong SM, Ibrahim GM. The vagus afferent network: emerging role in translational connectomics. Neurosurg Focus. 2018 Sep;45(3):E2. doi: 10.3171/2018.6.FOCUS18216.
- Background: PubMed 30144194Rufener KS, Geyer U, Janitzky K, Heinze HJ, Zaehle T. Modulating auditory selective attention by non-invasive brain stimulation: Differential effects of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation and transcranial random noise stimulation. Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Sep;48(6):2301-2309. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14128. Epub 2018 Sep 9.
- Background: PubMed 21167932Ruffoli R, Giorgi FS, Pizzanelli C, Murri L, Paparelli A, Fornai F. The chemical neuroanatomy of vagus nerve stimulation. J Chem Neuroanat. 2011 Dec;42(4):288-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2010.12.002. Epub 2010 Dec 16.
- Background: PubMed 19693003George MS, Aston-Jones G. Noninvasive techniques for probing neurocircuitry and treating illness: vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 Jan;35(1):301-16. doi: 10.1038/npp.2009.87.
- Background: PubMed 23479546Weintraub S, Dikmen SS, Heaton RK, Tulsky DS, Zelazo PD, Bauer PJ, Carlozzi NE, Slotkin J, Blitz D, Wallner-Allen K, Fox NA, Beaumont JL, Mungas D, Nowinski CJ, Richler J, Deocampo JA, Anderson JE, Manly JJ, Borosh B, Havlik R, Conway K, Edwards E, Freund L, King JW, Moy C, Witt E, Gershon RC. Cognition assessment using the NIH Toolbox. Neurology. 2013 Mar 12;80(11 Suppl 3):S54-64. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182872ded.
- Background: PubMed 21874314Gershon RC, Lai JS, Bode R, Choi S, Moy C, Bleck T, Miller D, Peterman A, Cella D. Neuro-QOL: quality of life item banks for adults with neurological disorders: item development and calibrations based upon clinical and general population testing. Qual Life Res. 2012 Apr;21(3):475-86. doi: 10.1007/s11136-011-9958-8. Epub 2011 Aug 27.
- Background: PubMed 1593914Ware JE Jr, Sherbourne CD. The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care. 1992 Jun;30(6):473-83.
- Background: PubMed 16540616Inouye SK. Delirium in older persons. N Engl J Med. 2006 Mar 16;354(11):1157-65. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra052321. No abstract available.
- 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.
Charles Hogue, MD principal investigator
Northwestern University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation in people with Post Operative Delirium and Cognitive Impairment, run by Northwestern University 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 8 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 May 2026. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jordan Wood, BS (3126950915, jordan.wood1@northwestern.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Aim 1: Primary Endpoint 1: Determine if administering auricular tcVNS enhances the speed of recovery of anesthesia. (time frame: 24 Hours). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07610655, which also lists 14 linked publications.
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 28 May 2026.