Brain-Zapping headset aims to sharpen your mind in virtual reality
NCT ID NCT06782360
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed study tested whether a head-mounted sensor and mild electrical stimulation on the ear could help healthy adults stay focused and resist cybersickness during virtual reality tasks. 45 volunteers completed attention, multitasking, and motion-sickness tests while receiving either real or sham stimulation. The goal was to see if the device could measure and improve cognitive performance in real time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to improve concentration and reduce motion sickness in virtual reality.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not patients. The results may not apply to real-world conditions or lead to a commercial product.
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
-
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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45 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2025
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: * Healthy human subjects between the ages of 18 and 55 * Normal color vision and near visual acuity of 20/30 without correction. * Participant is right-hand dominant * Proficient in the English language * Ability to understand the explanations and instructions given by the study personnel Exclusion Criteria: * Participant presents current evidence of an uncontrolled and/or clinically significant medical condition or psychiatric condition * Participant is participating in another interventional trial within 90 days prior to or throughout duration of trial * Participant has a prior diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder * Participant has a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or is currently taking medications for the treatment of ADHD. * Current or recent history of substance abuse or drug dependence including nicotine and alcohol, or use of mind-altering drugs in the past 30 days. * Participant has abnormal ear anatomy, ear infection present, or ear piercing that could interfere with stimulation * Participant has a recent history of epileptic seizures; including photosensitive epilepsy * Participant has a recent history of neurologic diseases or traumatic brain injury * Participant has presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear prostheses, neurostimulators) * Females who are pregnant or lactating * Participant has any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants are risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial * Sensitivity to bright screens or virtual reality displays * Recent history of neurological and psychiatric disease/disorder
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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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OpenBCI
Brooklyn, New York, 11222, United States
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