Could a tiny ear device ease arthritis pain in kids?

NCT ID NCT05710640

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tested whether a small device that sends mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve (through the ear) can reduce pain and inflammation in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The trial planned to enroll children ages 5 to 18, but was terminated early after only 18 participants. The goal was to see if the active device worked better than a sham device at improving arthritis symptoms.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to ease pain and inflammation for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early with only 18 participants, so results are very limited. The device may not work better than a sham (fake) treatment.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Inflammation juvenile idiopathic arthritis

As listed by the trial registrant

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

JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS (JIA)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Primary Children's Hospital

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States
Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Cohen Children's Medical Center: Pediatric Rheumatology

Lake Success, New York, 11040, United States
Indiana University Medical Center: Riley Hospital for Children Department of Pediatric Rheumatology

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Nemours Children's Health: Department of Pediatric Rheumatology

Orlando, Florida, 32827, United States
Seattle Children's Hospital: Rheumatology Clinic

Seattle, Washington, 98105, United States
Stephen D. Hassenfield Children's Center at NYU Langone Health

New York, New York, 10016, United States
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology

San Francisco, California, 94158, United States

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