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NCT Number: NCT07660250

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Myelopathy

The objective of this study is to generate preliminary data to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to improve post-operative outcomes of moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM)

Recruiting

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Key information

Conditions

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Spinal Cord Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Washington University

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Linda Z Koester, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

314-362-7368

Wilson Z Ray, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

Wilson Z. Ray, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Moderate or severe degenerative cervical myelopathy according to the mJOA
  • Decompression surgery planned

Exclusion criteria

  • • Pregnancy
  • Electrically active implants (e.g. pacemaker)
  • Known diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, concomitant thoracic and/or lumbar stenosis, spine tumor, HIV-related myelopathy
  • Ongoing cancer therapy
  • Ongoing use of immunomodulating or suppressive medication
  • Sustained bradycardia with a heartrate <50 beats per minute for > 5 minutes following admission.
  • Prior cervical spine surgery

Treatment and study plan

Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)

Device

Vagus nerve stimulation - clip is attached to ear

Sham stimulation

Device

Clip will be attached to the ear, but no stimulation will be given.

Primary outcomes

  1. mJOA - Modified Japanese Orthopedics Association

    Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year

    Measures neurological impairment in degenerative cervical myelopathy

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neck Disability Index (NDI)

    Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year

    NDI measures activity limitations associated with neck pain

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Linda Koester, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

314-362-7368

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Improve Post-operative Outcomes of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jun 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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