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Learning and Ear Stimulation

NCT04812015 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 28

Last updated 2025-08-13

Study results available
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Summary

This study aims to determine how non-invasive ear stimulation affects learning. During this study, participants will be asked to complete surveys and come to a lab for about 2.5 hours. Researchers will measure brain waves and other body responses (heart rate), while while the ear is stimulated. Participants also will be asked to complete computer tasks. Because brain activity will be measured, participants will be asked to come to the study with clean, dry hair. The study is at MUSC in Charleston. Participants will be compensated for their time. To be eligible, participants must be 18-65 years old, be able to commit 2.5 hours of time to the study, and be able to wear sensors on their hands, arms, and head and sit quietly at a computer.

There are some risks to completing this study. Some questions in the surveys ask about personal thoughts and feelings. The ear stimulation may cause tingling sensations or irritation around the ear.

There are no direct benefits to participants. This study will help researchers improve this ear stimulation as a treatment method.

Conditions

  • Learning
  • taVNS

Interventions

DEVICE

transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) 15 minutes

Sham 60 minutes and taVNS active stimulation for 15 minutes

DEVICE

taVNS 30 minutes

Sham 45 minutes and taVNS active stimulation for 30 minutes

DEVICE

taVNS 45 minutes

Sham 30 minutes and taVNS active stimulation for 45 minutes

DEVICE

taVNS 60 minutes

Sham 15 minutes and taVNS active stimulation for 60 minutes

DEVICE

taVNS 75 minutes

Sham 0 minutes and taVNS active stimulation for 75 minutes

DEVICE

taVNS 0 minutes

Sham taVNS 75 minutes

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Medical University of South Carolina

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-07-06
Primary Completion
2023-03-01
Completion
2023-03-01
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04812015 on ClinicalTrials.gov