Effect of taVNS on Heart Rate in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Status unconfirmed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Atrial Fibrillation, Persistent

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. taVNS is a treatment through which a small electrical current is applied to a specific location of the left ear. The main question to answer is whether taVNS will reduce the heart rate in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. After appropriate training, participants will self-administer taVNS for 30 minutes every day for two weeks. During one of the two weeks (randomized order), the clip electrode, delivering the electrical current will be attached to the cymba conchae of the left ear, while during the other week the clip electrode will be attached to the lobule of the left ear. During both weeks, the electrocardiogram (ECG) will be monitored continuously through a small ECG patch that is placed on the chest. Participants will meet with the investigators at the beginning of the study, after 7 days and at the end of the study (after 14 days). Researchers will compare the ECG obtained during the two weeks and evaluate if the heart rate differs between the two study weeks.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05944575

Run by

Burrell College of Health Sciences

People needed

30

Starts

2023-08-07

Expected to finish

2025-07-31

Last updated by the study team

2023-07-14

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• At least 18 years of age
• Persistent atrial fibrillation
• On anti-coagulation throughout the study

You may not qualify if…

• Below 18 years of age
• Pregnancy
• Signs or history of vestibulocochlear neuronitis or nerve damage (e.g., hearing loss or tinnitus)
• Signs or history of epilepsy
• Not on anti-coagulation

Where it is running

• Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine — Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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