Ear stimulation device may cut opioid use after back surgery
NCT ID NCT06100172
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive device placed on the ear can help reduce pain after lumbar (lower back) surgery. The device stimulates nerves in the ear to change how the brain processes pain. Researchers will enroll 20 adults having back surgery to see if this approach lowers pain scores and the need for opioid painkillers.
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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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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 85 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. Medically cleared to undergo a lumbar spine surgery, either spinal fusion with or without multilevel laminectomies, or lumbar multilevel laminectomies alone. 2. 18-85 years of age 3. English Proficiency 4. Participants must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient for study requirements Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current evidence of an uncontrolled and/or clinically significant medical condition 2. History of bleeding disorders or coagulopathy 3. History of seizures or epilepsy 4. History of neurological diseases or traumatic brain injury 5. Use of illegal recreational drugs 6. Presence of devices, e.g. pacemakers, cochlear prosthesis, neuro-stimulators 7. Use of acupuncture within 4 weeks of surgery 8. Grossly abnormal external ear anatomy or active ear infection 9. Women of childbearing potential, not using effective contraception per investigator judgment or not willing to comply with contraception for the duration of the study 10. Females who are pregnant or lactating 11. Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at 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
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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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
Locations
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UT Southwestern Medical Center
RECRUITINGDallas, Texas, 75390, United States
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