A Study Of Auricular Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Chronic Dizziness

Conditions

• Chronic Dizziness
• Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• Sham Device — OTHER
  The sham control uses the same stimulation devices as the active group, but with modified electrodes that do not emit electrical current. Instead, they produce a mechanical vibration or clicking sensation that mimics the feeling of stimulation without delivering current to the skin.
• Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation — OTHER
  The Parasym AVNT is a noninvasive, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulator (tVNS) designed to deliver low-level electrical stimulation to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve through the skin of the outer ear. The stimulator produces mild, pulsed electrical currents typically ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 milliampere (mA) at frequencies between 20-30 Hz and pulse widths of approximately 200-300 μs. The stimulation intensity is adjusted individually to produce a light tingling sensation without discomfort or visible muscle contraction.

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to measure the change in dizziness, as measured by change in Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) score, following a 4-week treatment period with auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (aTVNS).

Key Dates

Start date

Mar 23, 2026

Status verified

Feb 2026

Primary completion

Mar 31, 2027

Completion

Mar 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment

60 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Experimental: Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
  The vagus nerve stimulation group will perform two sessions per day (morning and evening), each lasting approximately 30 minutes, for a total of 1 hour of auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. This arm will continue using the active treatment for 8 weeks.
• Sham Comparator: Sound sham electrodes
  The sham control group will will perform two sessions per day (morning and evening), each lasting approximately 30 minutes, for a total of 1 hour of daily stimulation using the sham device. After 4 weeks, the sham control group will begin active auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for 4 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) score [ Time Frame: Baseline, 4 weeks ]

Central Contacts

• Colton Clayton, Au.D., Ph.D.
  904-953-2945
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

Find similar trials in Jacksonville, FL

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