Tests electrical stimulation behind the ears for vestibular migraine
Tests a mild electrical device for dizziness and headaches in adults with vestibular migraine.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Exploring Mild Electrical Vestibular Stimulation as a New Treatment for Dizziness and Migraine Symptoms
Key facts
- Where
- Calgary, CanadaSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with vestibular migraine, which causes repeated dizziness, imbalance and headaches. They will get real or sham mild electrical stimulation behind the ears over six sessions in two weeks.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Clinical diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM) by ICHD-3 and Barany Society criteria, with at least one episode in the past month.
- Earlier treatment
- People using vestibular suppressant or migraine preventive medicines can join only if these can be paused or kept at a stable dose during the two-week treatment period.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Other vestibular disorders, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease or vestibular neuritis
- Seizure disorder, epilepsy or unexplained loss of consciousness
- Implanted electronic medical devices, such as pacemakers or cochlear implants
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during the study
- Cannot stand unassisted for at least one minute or walk 25 feet without assistance
Read by machine on 13 November 2026.
Where in Canada
- Human Performance Laboratory, University of CalgaryCalgary, CanadaContact: Ryan Peters, Ph.D.No longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- University of Calgary
- Trial code
- NCT07368140
- Record updated
- 26 January 2026
- Original description
Vestibular migraine is a common cause of repeated dizziness, imbalance, and headaches that affects about three percent of Canadians. Many people do not find relief from current medications, leaving them with long term problems in balance and daily function. This study will test a new, non drug based treatment called electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS). EVS delivers gentle, safe electrical signals behind the ears to activate the brain's vestibular pathways.Read full original descriptionShow less
Electrical Vestibular Stimulation as a Novel Neuromodulation Therapy for Vestibular Migraine: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Vestibular migraine is a common cause of repeated dizziness, imbalance, and headaches that affects about three percent of Canadians. Many people do not find relief from current medications, leaving them with long term problems in balance and daily function. This study will test a new, non drug based treatment called electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS). EVS delivers gentle, safe electrical signals behind the ears to activate the brain's vestibular pathways.
Fifty adults with vestibular migraine will take part. Half will receive real stimulation, and half will receive a sham (placebo) treatment. Each participant will attend six sessions over two weeks. Around the treatment period, they will record dizziness and migraine symptoms in a daily diary and complete questionnaires and balance tests using motion sensors.
The main goal is to determine whether EVS can be delivered safely and comfortably in adults with vestibular migraine and whether participants can complete the sessions and assessments as planned. Results will also show whether symptoms or balance improve, providing essential information to design a larger clinical trial and, ultimately, develop new, accessible treatments for dizziness and migraine.
Inclusion: Clinical diagnosis of VM, according to the ICHD-3 and Barany Society criteria; Experienced at least one vestibular migraine episode in the previous month; Ability to provide informed consent and comply with study requirements; Willingness to attend six EVS sessions over a two-week period and complete all required testing and diaries; Physical ability to stand unassisted for at least one minute and walk 25 feet without assistance.
Exclusion: Presence of implanted electronic medical devices, such as pacemakers or cochlear implants; Use of vestibular suppressant or migraine prophylactic medications that cannot be paused or maintained at a stable dose during the two-week EVS intervention period. Acute use of rescue medications during a severe attack is permitted, however, participants who initiate new medication or undergo dose changes during the intervention window will be excluded from final analysis; Diagnosis of other vestibular disorders (e.g. benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis) that may confound results; History of seizure disorder, epilepsy, or unexplained loss of consciousness; Current medical, psychiatric, or neurological condition (other than VM) that could interfere with participation; Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during study period; Cognitive or language impairments that preclude understanding of instructions or valid completion of outcome measures.