30 Participants Needed

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Knee Osteoarthritis

KA
Overseen ByKosaku Aoyagi, PT, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Texas, El Paso
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) for knee osteoarthritis?

Research on similar conditions, like erosive hand osteoarthritis, shows that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) can reduce pain and inflammation. A pilot study found that tVNS significantly decreased hand pain and improved function, suggesting it might also help with knee osteoarthritis.12345

Is vagus nerve stimulation safe for humans?

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is generally considered safe, with mild and temporary side effects like ear pain, headache, and tingling. Studies show no significant risk of severe adverse events compared to controls.678910

How does transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) differ from other treatments for knee osteoarthritis?

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is unique because it involves non-invasive electronic stimulation of the ear's auricular concha to potentially reduce pain, unlike other treatments that may involve medication or surgery. This method is being tested for its effectiveness in knee osteoarthritis, offering a novel approach that could complement existing therapies.1112131415

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the feasibility and effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to the ear on pain and autonomic function in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1) whether tVNS is feasible to be used in people with knee OA; 2) whether tVNS demonstrates the trend in improving knee pain; and 3) whether tVNS has physiological effects on autonomic function (e.g., parasympathetic function) and pain perception in the central nervous system such as brain (i.e., central pain mechanisms). Participants will be asked to complete a battery of self-reported questionnaires about their demographic and behavioral information, ethnicity, pain, sleep, psychological/emotional symptoms. Subsequently, participants will complete baseline assessment where investigators will assess their knee pain severity, central pain sensitivity, and heart rate variability (a measurement for autonomic function). Then participants will receive a 60-minute tVNS. Investigators will redo the same assessment as baseline assessment after tVNS intervention to see the degree of knee pain, central pain sensitivity, and autonomic function changes. At the end of the study, investigators will assess their satisfaction level with the tVNS intervention and the feasibility of the intervention (e.g., completion rate, side effects).

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 45 with chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis, experiencing an average pain intensity of 4 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10. Participants should have had this pain for at least three months and be able to communicate in English.

Inclusion Criteria

My main health issue is knee pain.
Able to understand English
I have had knee pain for at least 3 months.
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Use of other medical devices electrically active (pacemaker, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, etc.)
I have not had any treatments for knee pain in the last 3 months.
Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
See 8 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete self-reported questionnaires and baseline assessments of knee pain severity, central pain sensitivity, and heart rate variability.

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

tVNS Intervention

Participants receive a 60-minute transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) session at the cymba concha of the left ear.

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Post-Intervention Assessment

Investigators assess changes in knee pain, central pain sensitivity, and autonomic function immediately after and 15 minutes after tVNS intervention.

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including satisfaction level and safety assessment.

1-2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Trial Overview The study tests if ear-based vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) can reduce knee pain and affect the body's autonomic functions like heart rate variability in people with knee osteoarthritis. It checks tVNS's feasibility, its impact on central nervous system pain mechanisms, and overall satisfaction with the treatment.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: tVNS groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
This will be a single-arm study where all study participants will receive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) at the cymba concha of the left ear for 60 minutes. The tVNS parameters will be a below-discomfort-threshold intensity with 25 Hz and a pulse width of 250 uS.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas, El Paso

Lead Sponsor

Trials
17
Recruited
3,000+

Findings from Research

The ESTIVAL Study is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis, involving 156 participants across 18 hospital centers in France.
The primary outcome will measure changes in self-reported hand pain over 12 weeks, with secondary outcomes assessing function, quality of life, and biomarkers, aiming to provide insights into the potential benefits of tVNS for managing pain and inflammation in this condition.
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in erosive hand osteoarthritis: protocol for the randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled ESTIVAL trial.Courties, A., Deprouw, C., Rousseau, A., et al.[2022]
In an open-label pilot study involving 18 patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis, transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) significantly reduced hand pain by a median of 23.5 mm on a pain scale after 4 weeks, indicating its potential efficacy in managing symptoms.
The study found that taVNS was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported, suggesting it is a safe intervention for patients, although one participant experienced discomfort leading to discontinuation.
Effect of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Erosive Hand Osteoarthritis: Results from a Pilot Trial.Courties, A., Deprouw, C., Maheu, E., et al.[2022]
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) significantly reduced postural tachycardia in patients with POTS, showing a mean heart rate increase of 17.6 beats/min in the active group compared to 31.7 beats/min in the sham group after 2 months.
tVNS also led to lower levels of antiadrenergic autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines, along with improved heart rate variability, indicating its potential as a safe and effective noninvasive treatment for POTS without any reported side effects.
Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Stavrakis, S., Chakraborty, P., Farhat, K., et al.[2023]

References

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in erosive hand osteoarthritis: protocol for the randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled ESTIVAL trial. [2022]
Effect of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Erosive Hand Osteoarthritis: Results from a Pilot Trial. [2022]
Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2023]
Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on delayed neurocognitive recovery in elderly patients. [2022]
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Trial. [2022]
Safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS): a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation acutely improves spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in healthy young men: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. [2018]
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Normalizes Induced Gastric Myoelectrical Dysrhythmias in Controls Assessed by Body-Surface Gastric Mapping. [2023]
The efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2023]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): Technique, Targeting, and Considerations. [2020]
Transcutaneous Vagal Stimulation in Knee Osteoarthritis (TRAVKO): Protocol of a Superiority, Outcome Assessor- and Participant-Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial. [2023]
Optimal stimulation frequency of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on people with knee osteoarthritis. [2022]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence From Randomized-controlled Trials. [2019]
14.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Knee Osteoarthritis: Does Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Work? [2018]
15.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A Case Report of Three Patients Who Underwent Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Knee Pain Secondary to Osteoarthritis. [2023]
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