Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to see if stimulation of the vagus nerve via a non-invasive device placed behind external ear can reduce physical and psychological discomfort during acute alcohol withdrawal in patients with alcohol use disorder when people just stop drinking alcohol and in detoxification stage.


Clinical Trial Description

The management of acute alcohol withdrawal is a clinical challenge, in part because there are limited medications available for the condition and the majority of the medications are controlled substances, which may cause significant adverse effects and can be potentially addictive. The rationale for using transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) on a specific target area of the ear is based on anatomical studies suggesting that this area is the only place on the human body surface where there is afferent vagus nerve distribution (Mercante et al., 2018). Therefore, direct stimulation of the afferent nerve fibers on the ear can produce an effect similar to that by implanted device-generated VNS yet without the need of surgical intervention. Although taVNS has not been tested for treatment of AUD, it interestingly appears to be very similar to auricular acupuncture that has been widely used for AUD. However, acupuncture needs to be administered by medical providers who have undergone long trainings and own special licensure, which is usually unavailable in acute detoxification units where patients receive treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal. The pilot study will enroll 70 evaluable subjects who are in inpatient detoxification unit randomized to receive single-blind treatment with vagus nerve stimulation or sham stimulation (1:1, VNS: sham). Evaluable subjects are those who complete stimulations (VNS) or sham 5 minutes twice a day for 4 days. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04159909
Study type Interventional
Source Northwell Health
Contact
Status Withdrawn
Phase N/A
Start date January 31, 2024
Completion date January 30, 2025

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04788004 - Long-term Recovery: Longitudinal Study of Neuro-behavioral Markers of Recovery and Precipitants of Relapse
Recruiting NCT05684094 - Mechanisms of Risky Alcohol Use in Young Adults: Linking Sleep to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function N/A
Completed NCT03406039 - Testing the Efficacy of an Online Integrated Treatment for Comorbid Alcohol Misuse and Emotional Problems N/A
Completed NCT03573167 - Mobile Phone-Based Motivational Interviewing in Kenya N/A
Completed NCT04817410 - ED Initiated Oral Naltrexone for AUD Phase 1
Active, not recruiting NCT04267692 - Harm Reduction Talking Circles for American Indians and Alaska Natives With Alcohol Use Disorders N/A
Completed NCT03872128 - The Role of Neuroactive Steroids in Stress, Alcohol Craving and Alcohol Use in Alcohol Use Disorders Phase 1
Completed NCT02989662 - INIA Stress and Chronic Alcohol Interactions: Glucocorticoid Antagonists in Heavy Drinkers Phase 1/Phase 2
Recruiting NCT06030154 - Amplification of Positivity for Alcohol Use N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT05419128 - Family-focused vs. Drinker-focused Smartphone Interventions to Reduce Drinking-related Consequences of COVID-19 N/A
Completed NCT04564807 - Testing an Online Insomnia Intervention N/A
Completed NCT04284813 - Families With Substance Use and Psychosis: A Pilot Study N/A
Completed NCT04203966 - Mental Health and Well-being of People Who Seek Help From Their Member of Parliament
Recruiting NCT05861843 - Craving Assessment in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder Using Virtual Reality Exposure
Terminated NCT04404712 - FAAH Availability in Psychiatric Disorders: A PET Study Early Phase 1
Enrolling by invitation NCT04128761 - Decreasing the Temporal Window in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT06444243 - Psilocybin-assisted Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder Phase 2
Not yet recruiting NCT06337721 - Preventing Alcohol Use Disorders and Alcohol-Related Harms in Pacific Islander Young Adults N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT06163651 - Evaluating a One-Year Version of the Parent-Child Assistance Program N/A
Enrolling by invitation NCT02544581 - Preliminary Analysis of the Soberlink Alcohol Breath Analyzer System's (SABA) Clinical Utility During Aftercare N/A