Pilot Study on the Acceptability of Auricular Vagus Nerve Neurostimulation in Adolescents (NCT06433583) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Pilot Study on the Acceptability of Auricular Vagus Nerve Neurostimulation in Adolescents
France22 participantsStarted 2024-11-28
Plain-language summary
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are acts defined by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5) as intentional and deliberate, occurring outside a psychotic state and directly causing moderate injury.
Their international prevalence is between 13 and 17% in adolescents and young adults, and has recently increased with the COVID-19 health crisis, with the prevalence of NSSI rising to 40% in adolescents. Access to psychiatrists is declining. Drug solutions, meanwhile, lack scientific proof in this indication.
The autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis are involved in the human response to experimentally-induced pain, as well as in stress regulation, notably via control of cortisol secretion.
Abnormally low levels of the latter hormone have been detected in persons with NSSI disorder.
Transcutaneous neurostimulation of the atrial vagus nerve (taVNS) has been studied for some ten years. The afferent branches of the vagus nerve stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to the production of cortisol by the adrenals.
The hypothesis of this research is that stimulation of the vagus nerve by taVNS would improve the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in patients with NSSI, and thus reduce the frequency of acting out.
Although taVNS is an easy-to-access technique that patients can implement at home, the question of adherence to this treatment in adolescents has not yet been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study is to assess whether adolescents with NSSI will adhere to taVNS treatment.
Who can participate
Age range
13 Years – 18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years old
* Patients with NSSI disorder as defined by DSM-5
* Patient affiliated to a social security scheme
* Patient who parents or guardians have signed a free and informed consent form
* Patient able to understand neurostimulation instructions
Exclusion Criteria:
* Contraindication to taVNS:
* Malformation, skin pathology of the external ear. (piercings in the area concerned must be removed during the neurostimulation session).
* Children with sleep apnea syndrome treated with NIV (non-invasive ventilation)
* Presence of epileptic seizures
* Proven cardiac pathology on the advice of the attending cardiologist
* History of venous or arterial thrombosis
* Adolescent with pacemaker or defibrillator
* Adolescent with an active implantable device
* Pregnancy (based on anamnestic criteria, checked by blood test if necessary)
* Patients with psychotic episodes, confusional states or severe neurodevelopmental disorders
* Patients with an allergic skin reaction to silicone (component of the ear electrode)
* Patients with a cochlear implant on the stimulation side
* Pregnant or breast-feeding women
* Minor under guardianship
* Minor under judicial measure or sanction
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.