Ear nerve zaps may aid stroke recovery in kids — a tiny trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT07735234
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a non-invasive device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve through the ear is tolerable for children who have had a stroke. One child will receive ear stimulation paired with occupational therapy sessions over four weeks. The goal is to see if the child can complete all sessions without significant side effects, and to measure any changes in arm function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a device that delivers gentle electrical pulses to the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve (transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, taVNS)
- What this could lead to
- If well tolerated, this approach could pave the way for larger studies testing whether ear nerve stimulation helps children regain arm function after a stroke.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, single-participant feasibility trial, so results may not apply to others. The device may cause discomfort or side effects like skin irritation or dizziness.
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 1 person
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2026
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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13 to 21 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.
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: * Childhood stroke survivor - either arterial ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage. * Stroke must be childhood onset, defined as occurring day 29 of life to 18 years of age (per the American Heart Association's definition of childhood stroke) * 6 months or greater from stroke onset * Arm impairment, defined as pediatric stroke outcome measure of 1 or greater of affected arm. * Affected arm Fugl-Meyer score of 60 or lower. * Able to participate in occupational therapy sessions. Exclusion Criteria: * Craniectomy without replacement of bone flap. Patients who underwent craniectomy will need the bone flap reattached prior to participation. * Presence of cranial metal implants or implant device that could be affected by taVNS: cochlear implant, implanted brain stimulator, or programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
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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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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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