Noninvasive Neuromodulation for Treatment of Symptoms Due to Mild or Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Injuries, Traumatic Clinical Trial

Official title: Cranial Nerve Noninvasive Neuromodulation Using the PoNS for Treatment of Symptoms Due to Mild or Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The investigators hypothesis is that electrical stimulation to the tongue that directly stimulates two cranial nerve nuclei (Trigeminal and Facial Nerve Nuclei), will excite neural impulses to the brainstem and cerebellum. The investigators call this cranial nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM). The activation of these structures induces neuroplasticity when combined with specific physical, cognitive and/or mental exercises, promoting recovery of selected functional damage such as problems with balance or walking.

44 subjects will be recruited for 2 weeks of intensive In-Lab Balance and Gait Training followed by 12 weeks of intensive Home Training with weekly In-Lab check sessions. Half of the subjects will use CN-NINM in conjunction with the exercise. Half of the subjects will use very low level stimulation in conjunction with the exercise, and will serve as a control group.

Clinical Trial Description

• Based on the results of the investigators pilot study in moderate traumatic brain injury (M-TBI), the investigators will conduct a randomized, controlled study of cranial nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM) in individuals with chronic symptoms of mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI), post-concussive sequelae, (PCS) and post-traumatic stress (PTS).

• The study will involve training of both balance and gait, with assessments using standardized and relevant metrics to monitor changes in these indications, as well as cognitive function, sleep, headache, anxiety, mood, and eye-movement control.

• The training regimen involves using a neurostimulation intervention that addresses primary and secondary symptoms associated with mTBI, PCS, and PTS.

• This randomized double blind controlled study will enroll a total of 44 subjects (M & F) in 2 equal subgroups: 22 with an Active PoNS™, and 22 with a Control (non-zero, minimally perceivable stimulation) device.

• Subjects will participate in a 3-phase intervention beginning with a 2-week in-lab training program (ITP) (2 in-lab training sessions and 1 home training session daily), followed by 12 weeks of training at home (HTP) (3 home training sessions daily), and a 12-week withdrawal period (no training). Subjects will return to the clinic weekly during the at-home phase for a single session of retraining and progression, and participate in periodic retesting.

• All training and testing will be performed uniformly across all subjects in both groups. Multiple assessment metrics will capture data at the beginning and end of the 2-week in-lab CN-NINM intervention period and at 3-week intervals. After completion of the formal training period, subjects will stop using the device (withdrawal stage) and will be tested every 3 weeks over an additional 12 weeks to monitor and assess changes due to withdrawal of the PoNS. This will yield a total of 10 data points for each subject.

• If successful, this study would indicate that CN-NINM may improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce time required to improve function. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Brain Injuries
• Brain Injuries, Traumatic
• Wounds and Injuries

• NCT number: NCT02158494
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: May 2014
• Completion date: October 2017