NCT07660250NARecruitingAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Myelopathy

Washington University School of Medicine

Start Date

4/14/2026

Completion Date

5/1/2028

Summary

The objective of this study is to generate preliminary data to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to improve post-operative outcomes of moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM)

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range: 18 years to No maximum

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Moderate or severe degenerative cervical myelopathy according to the mJOA * Decompression surgery planned Exclusion Criteria: * • Pregnancy * Electrically active implants (e.g. pacemaker) * Known diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, concomitant thoracic and/or lumbar stenosis, spine tumor, HIV-related myelopathy * Ongoing cancer therapy * Ongoing use of immunomodulating or suppressive medication * Sustained bradycardia with a heartrate \<50 beats per minute for \> 5 minutes following admission. * Prior cervical spine surgery

Interventions

DEVICE

Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)

DEVICE

Sham Stimulation

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Conditions

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Locations

Washington University

St Louis, Missouri 63110

United States