Ear stimulation helps babies learn to eat, avoid feeding tubes

NCT ID NCT07049952

What the study statuses mean

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a new device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear while babies practice bottle feeding. The goal is to help infants with brain injury or feeding delays learn to eat by mouth, so they can go home sooner and avoid feeding tubes. About 88 babies will take part in this blinded, randomized trial across multiple hospitals.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 2/3

Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.

Participants

About 88 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Nov 2025

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

39 to 54 weeks

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * infants \>39 weeks PMA making minimal progress in oral feeds * trying to learn feeding for at least 2wks if beginning feeds at term (\>37wks PMA), and 4wks if beginning feeds \<36wks PMA, * may po every feed without volume limitations by therapists Exclusion Criteria: * cardiomyopathy * unstable apnea/bradycardia * significant respiratory support (CPAP/ Vapotherm) * unrepaired major congenital anomalies that affect safe po feeding or impose volume restrictions * congenital syndromes unlikely to orally feed

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As listed by the trial registrant

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How to take part

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  2. The official record

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina

    RECRUITING

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States