tAN for Substance Use Disorder
This study is testing a device called Sparrow Ascent to help people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The Sparrow Ascent is a wearable device that stimulates nerves around the ear. Researchers want to see if this device can reduce withdrawal symptoms and change brain activity related to AUD. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 64 years old and meet specific criteria for moderate or severe AUD. The study will measure how severe your withdrawal symptoms are and how much benzodiazepine medication you use. The study's status is unclear, and it plans to enroll 20 participants.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the active Sparrow Ascent device or a sham (inactive) device. It is a single-blind study, meaning you won't know if you're receiving the active or sham device.
- What's involved
- You will wear the tAN device on-site at The Menninger Clinic for a 5-day detox treatment period. Clinical measures will be collected before, during, and after this treatment.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Withdrawal symptoms and benzodiazepine use will be measured every 4 hours during the 5-day tAN treatment (Days 2-6).
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
tAN for Substance Use Disorder
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Navid Khodaparast, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Spark Biomedical, Inc.
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar)Every 4 hours during the tAN treatment (Days 2-6)
The CIWA-Ar is a validated, clinician-administered scale used to assess the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The tool rates ten symptom domains-including nausea, tremor, anxiety, agitation, sweating, sensory disturbances, and orientation-to generate a total score that reflects withdrawal severity and guides clinical management. Higher scores indicate more severe withdrawal.
- Average benzodiazepine useEvery 4 hours during the tAN treatment (Days 2-6)
Benzodiazepines are commonly used to manage symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and are administered as needed based on clinical severity. Tracking benzodiazepine usage provides an indirect measure of withdrawal intensity, as higher medication requirements typically reflect more severe withdrawal symptoms, while lower usage indicates milder withdrawal.