Ear-Clip nerve zaps may wake hidden awareness after brain injury

NCT ID NCT07719595

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Sima Mofakham Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Some people with severe traumatic brain injury appear unresponsive but may still be aware—a hidden state called cognitive motor dissociation. This pilot trial tests whether gentle electrical pulses delivered through clips on the left ear, stimulating two nerves at once (the vagus and trigeminal nerves), can help them recover consciousness. Ten participants receive one hour of stimulation daily for a week, with recovery measured by standard clinical scoring and an automated camera system that detects tiny voluntary movements invisible to the naked eye.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: a device that delivers gentle electrical pulses through ear-clip electrodes to stimulate the vagus and trigeminal nerves
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-invasive way to help people with severe brain injury recover awareness and responsiveness.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment is experimental and its benefits are uncertain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic Coma Coma, Post-Head Injury ocular motor apraxia, Cogan type traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COMA, TRAUMATIC DISORDERS OF CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO SEVERE BRAIN INJURY SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

Stony Brook University Hospital
RECRUITING

Stony Brook, New York, 11794, United States

Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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