Earpiece zaps away alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
NCT ID NCT07281261
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a wearable earpiece that gently stimulates nerves to help people going through alcohol withdrawal. Twenty adults with alcohol use disorder will wear the device or a sham version for 5 days during detox. Researchers will measure withdrawal severity, cravings, and brain changes using MRI scans.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Sparrow Ascent device (transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage trial with only 20 people. The sham control may show no difference, and results may not apply to everyone.
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
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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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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 to 64 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. Male or female (evenly recruited) aged 18-64 years old 2. Meeting DSM-5 criteria of moderate or above AUD at screening using the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) 3. Demonstration of at least moderate risk of alcohol use at screening using the WHO-ASSIST 4. Demonstration of high risk for moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome (Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale \[PAWSS\] \> 4 at admission) 5. Demonstration of severe withdrawal symptoms (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised \[CIWA-Ar\] ≥ 8 at screening) 6. Positive urine test for alcohol at screening 7. Be able to provide written informed consent 8. Female subjects must be non-nursing and not pregnant 9. Meet the MRI safety screening form provided by the Center for Advanced MR Imaging (CAMRI) at BCM. Exclusion Criteria: 1. In the opinion of the clinician and the research team at admission, be expected to fail to complete the study protocol due to probably relocation from The Menninger Clinic area or not tolerable to receive tAN 2. Current use of tobacco 3. Is pregnant or nursing 4. Contraindications to MRI (pacemaker, cochlear implants, metal in eyes, other metal implants, etc.) 5. Do not meet the pre-screening MRI questions provided by the Center for Advanced MR Imaging (CAMRI) at BCM
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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The Menninger Clinic
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77035, United States
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