Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Musculoskeletal Pain in Cerebral Palsy
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- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
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Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
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- Who runs it
- London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
- Trial code
- NCT07585292
- Record updated
- 13 May 2026
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) for the Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal (MSK) Pain in Adults With Cerebral Palsy
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.
Inclusion: 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.
Exclusion: Cardiovascular disease; Current infection or open wounds at electrode sites; Pacemaker or implanted electrical device; Cerebral shunt; Pregnancy or intent to become pregnant.