Ear-Zap therapy could calm brain inflammation after injury
NCT ID NCT06467708
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether a mild electrical stimulation on the ear (called tAN) is safe and practical for patients in the ICU who have a traumatic brain injury. The researchers will check if the device can reduce inflammation in the blood and monitor changes in vital signs like blood pressure and brain pressure. About 42 adults with severe head injuries will take part, and nurses will also share their thoughts on using the device during daily care.
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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 42 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Feb 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 years and older
- 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.
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: 1. Post-resuscitation GCS score 12 or below and acute trauma-related intradural blood on head CT scan after TB 2. Age 18 years or older (pediatric trauma patients are not routinely transported to Parkland) 3. Consent from legally authorized representative Exclusion Criteria: 1. Hemodynamic instability 2. Expected imminent mortality because of overwhelming neurological and/or systemic injury 3. Unclear neurological status because of paralytic medications or intoxication with ethanol or other drugs 4. Presence of other electrical stimulation devices (pacemaker, cochlear prosthesis, neurostimulator, etc.) 5. Abnormal ear anatomy or ear infection 6. Participant is pregnant or lactating 7. Any other significant medical or psychosocial problems that, in the opinion of the investigator, would potentially cause harm to the participant, impact their ability to participate, or influence the results of 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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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Zapping the brain back to life: could DBS reawaken cognition after severe head trauma?
- Zapping a nerve in the neck may help rewire the brain after traumatic injury
- Rhythmic sound may retrain the brain to walk better after TBI