---
title: Ear stimulation reduces standing lightheadedness
nct_id: NCT07557706
phase: NA
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07557706"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07557706"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:08:30.116Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Ear stimulation reduces standing lightheadedness

**Goal (in five words):** Ear stimulation reduces standing lightheadedness

**Official Title:** Using taVNS to Modulate Cardiovascular Function in Individuals With Neurologic Disease

**Trial ID:** [NCT07557706](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07557706)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** NA
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** University of Alabama at Birmingham
- **Target Enrollment:** 24 participants
- **Start Date:** 2025-09-15
- **Completion Date:** 2026-08-31
- **Conditions:** PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
- **Interventions:** transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
- **Intervention Types:** DEVICE

## Summary For Families

The goal is to see whether gentle electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve at the ear can improve autonomic control of heart rate and blood pressure in people with Parkinson's, which could help with issues like orthostatic hypotension. The approach uses transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, a noninvasive method that sends mild pulses through the skin of the outer ear to activate the vagus nerve and increase parasympathetic activity, potentially improving heart rate variability and blood pressure regulation while people stay on their usual Parkinson's meds. They are looking for adults 18 to 80 with idiopathic Parkinson's who have been on stable medications for at least four weeks. People on beta blockers, with uncontrolled heart disease, recent heart attack, seizure history, severe cognitive impairment, or who are pregnant are not eligible.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 80 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of idiopathic PD
* Stable medication for at least 4 weeks prior to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of beta blockers
* Sustained severe hypertension (\>/= 180/110 mmHg while seated)
* Significant uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia
* Unstable angina
* Congestive heart failure
* History of myocardial infarction
* History of seizures
* Severe cognitive impairment
* Pregnant women or women who are planning to become pregnant
```

## Locations (1)

- Wellness, Health and Research Facility at UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, United States _(33.5207, -86.8025)_
  - Alex Evancho — (CONTACT) — 205-975-5221 — amelgin@uab.edu
  - Alex Evancho, DPT — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

## Central Contacts

- Alexandra Evancho, DPT — (CONTACT) — 205-975-5221 — amelgin@uab.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07557706*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07557706*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07557706*