Combined nerve stimulation and movement therapy for infants with perinatal brain injury
Tests ear nerve stimulation with arm therapy in infants with perinatal brain injury.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Neuro-MoD: Neuroplasticity With Motor Development
Key facts
- Where
- Madison, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, United StatesTaking people
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?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Trial code
- NCT07738432
- Record updated
- 19 October 2026
- Original description
This study is for infants and toddlers between 8 and 24 months old who use one arm and/or hand differently following a perinatal brain injury. This is a time when investigators think they can best help improve how the brain controls movement. Investigators are testing whether the combination of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) with 40 hours of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) can help infants move their weaker arm and hand better and make the brain pathways for movement stronger.Read full original descriptionShow less
Harnessing Early Neuroplasticity in Infants With Perinatal Brain Injury: A Study of Combined Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) Paired With Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
This study is for infants and toddlers between 8 and 24 months old who use one arm and/or hand differently following a perinatal brain injury. This is a time when investigators think they can best help improve how the brain controls movement. Investigators are testing whether the combination of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) with 40 hours of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) can help infants move their weaker arm and hand better and make the brain pathways for movement stronger.
Inclusion: Infants aged 8 to 24 months, diagnosed with hemiplegia or with an evident unilateral upper-limb weakness due to perinatal brain injury; Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I-IV; Infants who have not received previous CIMT in the preceding 3 months; Able to make consecutive appointments for assessments and intervention over 2 weeks, and complete the 3-month follow-up.
Exclusion: Prior CIMT within the past 3 months; Severe motor impairment/quadriplegic involvement; Uncontrolled seizure disorders, cardiomyopathy, severe congenital malformations,; significant sensory impairments, or conditions preventing safe participation in therapy sessions; GMFCS level V.