Ear stimulation shows promise for spinal cord injury health
NCT ID NCT06588608
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This small study tested whether a device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear (called auricular vagus nerve stimulation) is safe for people with chronic spinal cord injuries. Sixteen participants received the stimulation over two visits. The main goal was to check for side effects and see if it could help with heart health and blood sugar control.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females 2. Chronic (equal or greater to 1 year) motor-complete and incomplete SCI Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of A or B at the C5-T10 levels Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant or breastfeeding 2. Prisoner 3. Failure to satisfy inclusion criteria 4. Previous bariatric surgery 5. Active implantable devices (such as pacemakers) 6. Skin irritation or damage at the site (ear)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Miami
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Serotonin precursor probed for spinal cord injury effects
- Breathing brief Low-Oxygen bursts may boost sleep apnea treatment
- Pure oxygen tested as a switch for dormant nerves after spinal cord injury
- Spinal stimulation tested to help kids with spinal cord injuries sit taller
- Zapping the spine: a new hope for kids with paralysis?
- Can painless spinal zaps teach injured kids to walk again?