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New treatment option for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Official title Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05212129
What this study is testing
- What it's testing
- Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by hyperextensible skin, joint hypermobility and additional connective tissue manifestations. For unclear reasons, hEDS is associated with many gastrointestinal (GI) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) complaints such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 10 to 18
You may be able to join if
- Children aged 10-18 years old
- Children with functional upper GI complaints and clinical suspicion for hEDS or HSD as well as a Beighton score of at least 4/9
- Children with functional upper GI complaints and clinical suspicion for ANS dysfunction
- De-identified data from our prior studies (IRB #689519 and IRB #1064187) of patients with functional GI disorders who do NOT meet criteria for hEDS...
- Children who are English-speaking and lack other explanation for symptoms
You likely can't join if
- A) Exclusion Criteria applying to all participants:
- Medically complex children or those who take a medication or suffer from a disease that can explain symptoms will be excluded from participation in...
- Adult people, children or their parents who have significant developmental delay (will be excluded due to difficulties in accurately completing the...
- Patients with findings of organic disease such as peptic ulcer disease, H.pylori gastritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, allergic...
- Patients who are treated with a new drug affecting the central nervous system in the two weeks prior to enrollment will also be excluded.
- Pregnancy (evaluating MD screens patients as they normally would during a clinic visit (by questioning) and would only perform urine pregnancy test...
See the full eligibility criteria
- Children aged 10-18 years old
- Children with functional upper GI complaints and clinical suspicion for hEDS or HSD as well as a Beighton score of at least 4/9
- Children with functional upper GI complaints and clinical suspicion for ANS dysfunction
- De-identified data from our prior studies (IRB #689519 and IRB #1064187) of patients with functional GI disorders who do NOT meet criteria for hEDS will be used as a comparison group
- Children who are English-speaking and lack other explanation for symptoms
- Children willing to participate and consent to this study (for children, have a parent willing to participate)
- A) Exclusion Criteria applying to all participants:
- Medically complex children or those who take a medication or suffer from a disease that can explain symptoms will be excluded from participation in the study.
- Adult people, children or their parents who have significant developmental delay (will be excluded due to difficulties in accurately completing the questionnaires and assessing symptoms)
- Patients with findings of organic disease such as peptic ulcer disease, H.pylori gastritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, allergic disorders, metabolic disorder or any other chronic condition or medication...
- Patients who are treated with a new drug affecting the central nervous system in the two weeks prior to enrollment will also be excluded.
- Pregnancy (evaluating MD screens patients as they normally would during a clinic visit (by questioning) and would only perform urine pregnancy test if clinically indicated (absence of menstrual period or other symptoms...
- Chronic alcohol/illicit drug use and/or smoking. B) Exclusion Criteria for people undergoing pVNS therapy:
- Severe dermatological condition or active infection of external or middle ear
- Implanted electrical device C) Exclusion Criteria for people undergoing aVNS therapy:
- Hearing impaired
- Sight impaired without correction
- Seizure disorder D) Exclusion Criteria for people undergoing gastric motor function sub-study:
- Patients with pacemakers, metal clips used in previous surgery or other device which are not compatible with MRI scanning
- Claustrophobia or inability to lie still in the scanner
- Orthodontic braces or permanent retainers
- Patients who are unable to tolerate noise produced by the MRI
- Egg allergy or anticipated inability to complete a standardized egg meal E) Exclusion Criteria for people undergoing HepGI Biobank specimen collection sub-study:
- Bleeding disorder for the specific biopsies
- Recent antibiotic usage for fecal sample
- Significant anemia or clinical status which will not allow safe blood draw required for blood collection
- Refusal of blood collection or to provide DNA sample
- Inability or unwillingness on the individual (or parent/legal guardian) to provide clinical or family history.
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it's taking place
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 10 years to 18 years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
Study sites include Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.