MedPath

Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation After Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Opioid Use
Lumbar Spine Injury
Pain, Postoperative
Interventions
Device: Sparrow Ascent Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN)
Device: Sham Control Device
Registration Number
NCT06100172
Lead Sponsor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study, entitled "Delivering Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation as an Adjunct Non-Opioid Pain Management Therapy for Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion Surgery", is to demonstrate whether transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) can non-invasively reduce the perception of pain in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. tAN is placed on and around the ear to non-invasively stimulate branches of the vagus and trigeminal nerves and modulate specific brain regions associated with pain.

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, single-center, clinical trial in which 20 patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery will be randomized 1:1 into one of two treatment groups:

1. Group 1 (n=10): Active tAN + standard care

2. Group 2 (n=10): Sham tAN + standard care

Stimulation:

Participants undergoing lumbar fusion surgery will be randomized to receive either active or sham tAN treatment according to the following time points:

* Pre-operative: 30 minutes in the hour prior to surgery

* Intra-operative: 30 minutes before the end of surgery

* Post-operative: 30 minutes at 3 and 6 hours after surgery

* Inpatient: Four 30-minute sessions on Day 2

Blood Draws

Participants will have blood samples collected at the following time points:

* Day 1 (Day of Surgery)

* Day 2 (Day 1 post-surgical)

Follow up Visits Participants will have study follow up visits on Days 7 and Day 14. These visits can either be conducted either via a secure telehealth video visit, or in person visit.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Medically cleared to undergo a lumbar fusion surgery
  2. 18-85 years of age
  3. English Proficiency
  4. Participants must be able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient for study requirements
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Current evidence of an uncontrolled and/or clinically significant medical condition
  2. History of bleeding disorders or coagulopathy
  3. History of seizures or epilepsy
  4. History of neurological diseases or traumatic brain injury
  5. Use of illegal recreational drugs
  6. Presence of devices, e.g. pacemakers, cochlear prosthesis, neuro-stimulators
  7. Use of acupuncture within 4 weeks of surgery
  8. Grossly abnormal external ear anatomy or active ear infection
  9. Women of childbearing potential, not using effective contraception per investigator judgment or not willing to comply with contraception for the duration of the study
  10. Females who are pregnant or lactating
  11. Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Active tAN + standard of care (SOC) for post-operative pain management for lumbar fusion patients.Sparrow Ascent Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN)Subjects will be randomized to receive the active device on the day of surgery. Subjects will receive treatment according to the following time points: * Pre-operative: 30 minutes in the hour prior to surgery * Intra-operative: 30 minutes before the end of surgery * Post-operative: 30 minutes at 3 and 6 hours after surgery * Inpatient: Four 30-minute sessions on Day 2
Sham tAN + standard of care (SOC) for post-operative pain management for lumbar fusion patients.Sham Control DeviceSubjects will be randomized to receive the sham device on the day of surgery. Subjects will receive treatment according to the following time points: * Pre-operative: 30 minutes in the hour prior to surgery * Intra-operative: 30 minutes before the end of surgery * Post-operative: 30 minutes at 3 and 6 hours after surgery * Inpatient: Four 30-minute sessions on Day 2
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change From Baseline in Pain Scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at day 2 post-operationBaseline, day 2 post-operation

Patients will be asked to report their level of pain using the Visual Analog Scale. Possible scores for VAS pain scale ranges from 0-10 where 0="no pain" to 10="severe pain"

Change From Baseline in Pain Scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 3 hours post-operationBaseline, 3 hours post-operation

Patients will be asked to report their level of pain using the Visual Analog Scale. Possible scores for VAS pain scale ranges from 0-10 where 0="no pain" to 10="severe pain"

Change From Baseline in Pain Scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 6 hours post-operationBaseline, 6 hours post-operation

Patients will be asked to report their level of pain using the Visual Analog Scale. Possible scores for VAS pain scale ranges from 0-10 where 0="no pain" to 10="severe pain"

Change From Baseline in Pain Scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at day 14 post-operationBaseline, day 14 post-operation

Patients will be asked to report their level of pain using the Visual Analog Scale. Possible scores for VAS pain scale ranges from 0-10 where 0="no pain" to 10="severe pain"

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean total postoperative opioid consumption (morphine equivalent dose) at Day 7 post-surgeryDay 7 post-surgery

During the in-patient hospital stay, the dose and frequency of post -operative opioid use will recorded for both the placebo and active groups. The opioid usage between the 2 groups will be compared to determine if the active group required less opioid medications for pain reduction.

Mean total postoperative opioid consumption (morphine equivalent dose) at Day 14 post-surgeryDay 14 post-surgery

During the in-patient hospital stay, the dose and frequency of post -operative opioid use will recorded for both the placebo and active groups. The opioid usage between the 2 groups will be compared to determine if the active group required less opioid medications for pain reduction.

Estimated mean total blood lossDay 1- During surgery [Surgery start (incision) to closure]

The volume of blood loss will be recorded for each case, and then the 2 groups will be compared. Comparision is based on end volume recorded at incision closure.

Mean percent change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels from baseline at Day 1 (intra-op)Baseline and at Day 1 (intra-op)

CRP blood samples collected will be used to measure the amount of inflammation in the body at the time points stated, and changes will be recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein will be determined by the immunoprecipitation method using an in vitro diagnostic assay.

Mean percent change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels from baseline at Day 2 post-opBaseline and at Day 2 post-op

CRP blood samples collected will be used to measure the amount of inflammation in the body at the time points stated, and changes will be recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein will be determined by the immunoprecipitation method using an in vitro diagnostic assay.

Mean total postoperative opioid consumption (morphine equivalent dose) at 3 hours post-surgery3 hours post-surgery

During the in-patient hospital stay, the dose and frequency of post -operative opioid use will recorded for both the placebo and active groups. The opioid usage between the 2 groups will be compared to determine if the active group required less opioid medications for pain reduction.

Mean total postoperative opioid consumption (morphine equivalent dose) at 6 hours post-surgery6 hours post-surgery

During the in-patient hospital stay, the dose and frequency of post -operative opioid use will recorded for both the placebo and active groups. The opioid usage between the 2 groups will be compared to determine if the active group required less opioid medications for pain reduction.

Mean total postoperative opioid consumption (morphine equivalent dose) at Day 2 post-surgeryDay 2 post-surgery

During the in-patient hospital stay, the dose and frequency of post -operative opioid use will recorded for both the placebo and active groups. The opioid usage between the 2 groups will be compared to determine if the active group required less opioid medications for pain reduction.

Mean percent change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels from baseline at 6 hours post-opBaseline and at 6 hours post-op

CRP blood samples collected will be used to measure the amount of inflammation in the body at the time points stated, and changes will be recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein will be determined by the immunoprecipitation method using an in vitro diagnostic assay.

Mean percent change in TNF-alpha levels from baseline at Day 1 (intra-op)Baseline and at Day 1 (intra-op)

TNF-alpha blood samples collected will be used to measure the amount of inflammation in the body at the time points stated, and changes will be recorded and compared between the 2 groups.

Mean percent change in TNF-alpha levels from baseline at 6 hours post-opBaseline and at 6 hours post-op

TNF-alpha blood samples collected will be used to measure the amount of inflammation in the body at the time points stated, and changes will be recorded and compared between the 2 groups.

Surgery time (incision to closure)Day 1- during surgery [Surgery start (incision) to closure of surgical site]

A comparison of the surgery times from incision to closure will be compared between the 2 groups to determine if the tAN affects the surgery time. The times will be recorded for each case, and then compared between the two groups. Surgery time - calculated as time from first incision to closure.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UT Southwestern Medical Center

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Dallas, Texas, United States

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