The RA PROTECTION Study

Inclusion criteria

• Be between 18 and 80 years of age at the time of enrollment
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis based on the 2010 EULAR/ACR criteria
• Diagnosis present for ≥3 months
• Have evidence of active disease, as defined by having at least 4 tender and 4 swollen joints in the TJC68 and SJC66, respectively
• Presence of rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP antibody at enrollment
• Must have an inadequate response to the maximum tolerated dose of 15-25 mg/week (unless lower dose is needed to due toxicity or physician discretion) of csDMARD/s for at least 12 weeks with a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to Baseline visit and have not been previously treated with a biologic
• Participants receiving a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), prednisone or prednisone equivalent (10mg or less/day) or methotrexate must be on stable doses of these agents for more than 30 days prior to Baseline and remain stable for the duration of the study
• Able to operate the device appropriately and use it as per the protocol requirements
• Be willing and capable of giving informed consent
• Be willing and able to comply with research-related requirements, procedures, assessments and visits

Exclusion criteria

• Previously treated with any approved or investigational biologic agent (including TNF-, IL-1, IL-6, T-cell or B-cell targeted therapies) or tsDMARD
• History of any arthritis with onset prior to age 17 years or current diagnosis, inflammatory joint disease other than RA (including but not limited to gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, reactive arthritis, overlap connective tissue diseases, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, fibromyalgia. Current diagnosis of secondary Sjogren's Syndrome is permitted.
• Participants receiving intraarticular, intramuscular, or intravenous glucocorticoids within 4 weeks prior to Baseline (unless participant is on stable dose of prednisone as per inclusion above) or if it is anticipated that the participant will need glucocorticoids at some point during the expected study duration
• Have active disease involving the auricle or ear canal (e.g. otitis media, tinnitus, infection, perforated tympanic membrane, vestibular and/or balance, excessive cerumen production), unwilling to remove a piercing (e.g. daith or tragus), or use a device (e.g. hearing aid, cochlear implant) that would preclude daily use of the earpiece
• History of any clinically significant (as deemed by PI) cardiac, endocrinologic, pulmonary, neurologic, psychiatric, hepatic, renal, hematologic, neurologic, gastrointestinal, immunologic, or other major diseases
• History of unilateral or bilateral vagotomy
• History of recurrent vasovagal syncope episodes
• Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, which places the participant at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the research or confounds the ability to interpret data from the research in the opinion of the Investigator
• Previously implanted electrically active medical devices (e.g., cardiac pacemakers, automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators)
• Be pregnant or breast feeding (if female and sexually active, participant must be using a reliable form of birth control, be surgically sterile or be at least 2 years post-menopausal)
• Have symptomatic osteoarthritic knee issues within 30 days of enrollment
• Diagnosis of cancer (other than non-invasive skin cancer or carcinoma in-situ of the cervix) within the 5 years prior to research initiation
• Significant ECG findings (as determined by the Investigator), defined by:

• Ischemic changes (defined as >1mm of down-sloping ST segment depression in at least two contiguous leads)
• Q-waves in at least two contiguous leads
• Clinically significant intra-ventricular conduction abnormalities (left bundle branch block or Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome)
• Clinically significant arrhythmias (e.g., current atrial fibrillation)
• Bradyarrhythmias (e.g. Type I or type II block)
• Have been hospitalized for psychiatric disorder or attempted suicide within the last 12 months
• History of concurrent illness that requires hospitalization within 30 days prior to Baseline
• Have skin and vascular problems such as infected areas of skin, skin eruptions, dermatological conditions, open wounds or damaged or broken skin in the area where stimulation is planned
• Have uncontrolled hypertension or hypotension
• History or current abuse of or dependence on alcohol or drugs that would interfere with the results or adherence to research requirements based on the judgement of the Investigator
• Any clinically relevant abnormal findings in the physical exam, vital signs or laboratory tests that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may put the participant at risk
• Any language barrier that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would preclude communication and compliance with the research requirements
• Participation in another investigational trial during the 30 days prior to research initiation or during this study
• Any other household member currently participating in Vorso research or relative of site staff member
• If the investigator believes there is any reason that the participant will not be compliant with the study requirements and completion of evaluations