Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Improve Post-operative Outcomes of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Device
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY
The objective of this study is to generate preliminary data to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to improve post-operative outcomes of moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM)
Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:
• 18 years of age or older
• Moderate or severe degenerative cervical myelopathy according to the mJOA
• Decompression surgery planned
Locations
United States
Missouri
Washington University
RECRUITING
St Louis
Contact Information
Primary
Linda Koester, BS
koesterl@wustl.edu
314-362-7368
Time Frame
Start Date: 2026-04-14
Estimated Completion Date: 2028-05
Participants
Target number of participants: 36
Treatments
Experimental: Pre-Post Group (P-P)
This group will undergo taVNS for up to 6 weeks before and for 3 months following surgery
Experimental: Post Group
This group will undergo sham stimulation for up to 6 weeks before surgery. They will receive taVNS for 3 months after surgery
Sham_comparator: Sham Group
This group will undergo sham stimulation for up to 6 weeks before surgery and for 3 months after surgery. The patients will not know they are not receiving stimulation.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Washington University School of Medicine