transcutaneous auricular vagus ner… for Parkinson's (NCT07557706)
Studying ear stimulation for bloodpressure
- Trial ID
- NCT07557706
- Official Title
- Using taVNS to Modulate Cardiovascular Function in Individuals With Neurologic Disease
- Goal
- Studying ear stimulation for bloodpressure
- Phase
- PHASE1
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 24 participants
- Conditions
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
- Interventions
- transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
- Registry Record Last Updated
- 2026-06-18 (1 month ago)
- Estimated Commitment
- Lower commitment estimated from the protocol (based on: placebo or control group). This reflects time and procedures only — confirm details with the study coordinator.
Summary For Families
Researchers are testing whether a gentle nerve stimulation applied to the outer ear can help people with Parkinson's better control heart rate and blood pressure, since those problems can make exercise and daily activities harder. The treatment uses a non-invasive method called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, which sends mild pulses through the skin of the ear to see how the body's natural blood pressure and heart rate responses change, with the hope it could support physical therapy and improve overall function. The study aims to enroll about 24 people ages 18 to 80 who have Parkinson's not caused by another condition and who have been on stable medications for at least four weeks; people taking beta blockers, with very high blood pressure or significant heart problems, seizures, severe memory problems, or who are pregnant are not eligible.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key requirements found in this trial's official criteria, in plain language. Only what the listing states is shown; the study team makes the final call.
- Medication dose: Must be on a stable dose of Parkinson's medication (criteria text: "Stable medication for at least 4 weeks prior to the study")
Do I Likely Qualify? — Self-Check Dimensions
The trial page offers an interactive self-check built from this trial's parsed criteria. It covers these dimensions; anything the criteria don't state clearly is answered "ask the study coordinator", never assumed.
- This trial enrolls people up to age 80.
Locations
- Wellness, Health and Research Facility at UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Making Contact: How to Call This Study Site
Who to ask for
Ask for the study coordinator. Some sites call this person the research coordinator. They are the right person for questions about joining a study. If you reach a front desk or a doctor's office scheduler, ask them to connect you with the research team for this study.
What to say
It is fine to read this out loud, word for word:
Hello, my name is ____. I am calling about a Parkinson's study at your site. The study number is NCT07557706. It is the one about "Studying ear stimulation for bloodpressure". Could I speak with the study coordinator about taking part?
If you are calling for a family member, use their name and mention that you help with their care.
What they will ask you
- The year of diagnosis
- Current medications and their doses
- Other health conditions
- Any procedures already done, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- How far you are able to travel for study visits
- Whether a care partner can come to visits with you
What to have ready
- A written list of current medications and doses
- Your neurologist's name and phone number
- The diagnosis date. The year is enough.
- A recent visit summary from the neurologist, if you have one
What to ask them
- How many visits are there, and how long does each visit take? The listing already answers this: Two stimulation visits (Visit 2 and Visit 3) with a minimum washout period of 48 hours between visits. Ask the coordinator to confirm it still applies.
- Is travel, parking, or my time reimbursed?
- Is there a placebo group, and what is my chance of being in it? The listing already answers this: This is a crossover trial: instead of staying in one group, you move through a sequence of assignments, so you receive the active treatment during at least one period of the study. It also includes a placebo or sham phase, so you would be on that during another period. Ask the coordinator for the exact sequence and how long each phase lasts.
- Would I need to stop or pause any of my current medications?
- What happens when the study ends? Could I stay on the treatment if it helps?
What to expect
- Expect to wait a few days for a callback. A week is common. Calling or emailing again after that is fine and normal.
- Many callers do not end up joining. Screening out is common and is not a judgment about you or your health.
- Asking questions commits you to nothing. You can stop the process at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation. Researchers are testing whether a gentle nerve stimulation applied to the outer ear can help people with Parkinson's better control heart rate and blood pressure, since those problems can make exercise and daily activities harder. The treatment uses a non-invasive method called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, which sends mild pulses through the skin of the ear to see how the body's natural blood pressure and heart rate responses change, with the hope it could support physical therapy and improve overall function. The study aims to enroll about 24 people ages 18 to 80 who have Parkinson's not caused by another condition and who have been on stable medications for at least four weeks; people taking beta blockers, with very high blood pressure or significant heart problems, seizures, severe memory problems, or who are pregnant are not eligible.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 18 Years and 80 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- Being asked to pay to join a trial is a red flag: legitimate trials do not charge a participation fee, and the study treatment and study-specific tests are provided by the trial sponsor. What you might still pay depends on where you live: in the US, routine care you would receive anyway can be billed to you or your insurance; trials in the UK and Canada usually run through public health systems. Travel, parking, and time are real costs, and some trials reimburse them while others do not. Before enrolling, ask the study coordinator to explain in writing what is and is not covered.
- How long does the trial last?
- This Phase 1 trial is estimated to last approximately 11 months.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.
- Will I get a placebo in this trial?
- This is a crossover trial: instead of staying in one group, you move through a sequence of assignments, so you receive the active treatment during at least one period of the study. It also includes a placebo or sham phase, so you would be on that during another period. Ask the coordinator for the exact sequence and how long each phase lasts.
- How many visits does this trial involve?
- Two stimulation visits (Visit 2 and Visit 3) with a minimum washout period of 48 hours between visits.