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Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

This study is testing if transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve recovery after surgery for moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). DCM is a condition where the spinal cord in your neck is compressed. taVNS involves attaching a clip to your ear to deliver stimulation. Some participants will receive actual stimulation, while others will receive a sham (inactive) stimulation. The study aims to enroll 36 participants who are 18 years or older, have moderate or severe DCM, and are planning to have decompression surgery. We will measure success by looking at your mJOA score (Modified Japanese Orthopedics Association), which assesses your neurological function, for about one year after surgery. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing active vagus nerve stimulation to a sham stimulation. It plans to enroll 36 participants.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed through study completion, which is an average of 1 year, to measure their mJOA score.

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NCT07660250

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Myelopathy

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Washington University School of Medicine
~36 participants
Updated 2026-06-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)Sham Stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
mJOA - Modified Japanese Orthopedics Association
Measured over through study completion, an average of 1 year

Conditions

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Explore related trials

Myelopathy due to cervical spondylosis

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Missouri1

Study leadership

  • Wilson Z Ray, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Washington University School of Medicine

Who to contact

Linda Koester, BS
[email protected]
314-362-7368
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

Exclusion

• 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

What this trial measures

  • mJOA - Modified Japanese Orthopedics Associationthrough study completion, an average of 1 year

    Measures neurological impairment in degenerative cervical myelopathy