Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Musculoskeletal Pain in Cerebral Palsy
Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Cerebral Palsy (CP), Musculoskeletal Pain
In brief
This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 30-day home-based transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) intervention in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants will be randomized to receive either active taVNS targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve or sham stimulation delivered to the earlobe. The primary outcomes are changes in musculoskeletal pain severity and pain interference, as well as safety assessed through treatment-emergent adverse events. Exploratory outcomes include health-related quality of life, depression, fatigue, spasticity, systemic inflammatory biomarkers, and blinding success.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07585292
- Run by
- London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
- People needed
- 32
- Starts
- 2026-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2029-05-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-05-13
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
- Age ≥18 years
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain present for ≥1 year
- Moderate or greater pain severity (≥4/10 on Numeric Pain Rating Scale)
- Stable pain and/or anti-inflammatory medication dosing for ≥6 weeks
You may not qualify if…
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pacemaker or implanted electrical device
- Cerebral shunt
- Pregnancy or intent to become pregnant
- Current infection or open wounds at electrode sites
Where it is running
- Parkwood Institute, St Joseph's Health Care London — London, Ontario, Canada
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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