Using nerve stimulation to help infants learn to feed
Official title: BabyStrong II (Stimulating the Tragus for Neural Growth): A Randomized Controlled Trial of taVNS-Paired Bottle Feeding to Improve Oral Feeding
Funded at Frd Accel, LLC · NIH-11008650 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new therapy that uses gentle nerve stimulation along with bottle feeding to help babies who have had brain injuries learn to feed better, so they can go home from the hospital without needing a feeding tube.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Frd Accel, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,039,456 |
| NIH project number | 2R42HD104409-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008650 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pre-term and term infants diagnosed with brain injuries who are struggling with oral feeding.
✕Less likely to help
Infants who do not have feeding difficulties or those with conditions unrelated to brain injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new therapy that combines non-invasive nerve stimulation with bottle feeding to assist pre-term and term infants who have experienced brain injuries in overcoming feeding difficulties. The approach aims to improve oral feeding skills, which are crucial for infants to be discharged from the hospital without needing a gastrostomy tube. By pairing transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) with feeding practices, the study seeks to enhance the infants' ability to feed independently. Initial pilot studies have shown promising results, with many infants reaching full feeding volumes within a short period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the feeding abilities of infants with brain injuries, facilitating their discharge from the hospital and reducing the need for invasive feeding methods.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown success with similar approaches, indicating the potential for this novel therapy to improve feeding outcomes in infants.
Where this research is happening
-
Frd Accel, LLC
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenkins, Dorothea Denise — Frd Accel, LLC
- Study coordinator: Jenkins, Dorothea Denise
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.