Investigating taVNS for Heart and Blood Pressure Control in Parkinson's Disease
This study is exploring if a gentle nerve stimulation called transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) can help people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) better control their heart rate and blood pressure. These issues can make daily activities harder. During the study, you would receive 15 minutes of taVNS, which involves a gentle electrical current delivered through electrodes placed in your ear. Researchers will measure changes in your heart rate and blood pressure during and after this stimulation to see if taVNS could be a helpful tool to support physical therapy and improve overall function. This study is looking for 24 participants aged 18 to 80 who have been diagnosed with idiopathic PD and have stable medication for at least 4 weeks. The study is currently recruiting.
- Study design
- This interventional study plans to enroll 24 participants with Parkinson's Disease. It will investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS).
- What's involved
- You would sit quietly while receiving active nerve stimulation for 15 minutes during two separate visits, 1-2 weeks after a baseline visit, with a 48-hour break between the stimulation visits.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Heart rate and blood pressure will be measured during and following 15 minutes of stimulation at two visits, 1-2 weeks after baseline.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Using taVNS to Modulate Cardiovascular Function in Individuals With Neurologic Disease
At a glance
Conditions
NCT07557706
Where you'd take part
This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.
Wellness, Health and Research Facility at UAB
Birmingham, Alabamastudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
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Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Change in heart rateDuring Visit 2 and Visit 3 (1-2 weeks after baseline, with 48 hour wash-out between visits 2 and 3), during and following 15 minutes of stimulation.
Assessment of how the body adjusts heart rate during taVNS and during physical challenges. Tests include the Valsalva maneuver (blowing into a mouthpiece for 15 seconds), deep breathing test (breathing deeply and evenly at a rate of 6 breaths/minute), lying-to-standing heart rate and blood pressure tests, and an isometric handgrip test (sustaining a handgrip contraction on a dynamometer at 30% maximal effort for 5 minutes). Heart rate is continuously monitored using a Polar HR monitor.
- Change in blood pressureDuring Visit 2 and Visit 3 (1-2 weeks after baseline, with 48 hour wash-out between visits 2 and 3), during and following 15 minutes of stimulation.
Assessment of how the body adjusts blood pressure during taVNS and during physical challenges. Tests include the Valsalva maneuver (blowing into a mouthpiece for 15 seconds), deep breathing test (breathing deeply and evenly at a rate of 6 breaths/minute), lying-to-standing heart rate and blood pressure tests, and an isometric handgrip test (sustaining a handgrip contraction on a dynamometer at 30% maximal effort for 5 minutes). Blood pressure is measured manually using a sphygmomanometer.