MedTrace Logo

Auricular Vagal Stimulation in Alcohol Craving

NCT05131334 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2021-11-23

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background: The cause of the vegetative symptoms is a sympathetic driven misbalance of the autonomous nervous system. To restore vegetative balance in alcohol withdrawal syndrome new neuro-modulatory methods, such as percutaneous auricular vagal stimulation (pVNS) could be used. Measuring the pupil size is a suitable method to assess imbalances or dysfunctions of the vegetative regulation in individuals. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the pupil reaction to the cholinergic antagonist tropicamide in alcohol withdrawal syndrome as a biomarker of the vegetative balance before and after pVNS. Methods: 30 patients aged between 20 and 65 were recruited in this open-label, controlled pilot trial with repeated measure design. pVNS was administered at the left cymba conchae for 72 hours with intermitted stimulation. Pupillometric recording lasted about 60 min and was performed at baseline and following pVNS. The reaction of the pupil to an anticholinergic agent was measured as a receptor-test in terms of a psychophysiological feedback mechanism to pVNS.

Conditions

  • Alcohol Withdrawal
  • Psychophysiologic Reaction

Interventions

DEVICE

auriStim, for auricular vagal stimulation

For auricular vagal stimulation we used auriStim (AU0115, Multisana GmbH, Vienna, Austria). Using a green light-emitting diode (LEDs) flashlight, blood vessels in the cymba conchae of the left ear side were detected. Minimal invasive needles (penetrating 1-2mm) were placed close to the vessel-bifurcation to provide efficient stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The built-in microchip controls monophasic volt pulses of 1 ms, with alternating polarity, a frequency of 1 Hz and an amplitude of 4V. Stimulation lasted for 72h in total with alternating on/off periods of three hours. Thereafter, the device was removed, and patients continued their therapy consisting of anti-withdrawal medication.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Medical University of Vienna

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Henriette Walter, Prof. · Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2018-10-01
Primary Completion
2019-01-31
Completion
2019-02-01

Countries

  • Austria

Study Locations

More Related Trials

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 NCT05131334 on ClinicalTrials.gov